An Introduction to American Law
Explore six key areas of US law: Tort, Contract, Property, Constitutional, Criminal, and Civil Procedure.
Explore six key areas of US law: Tort, Contract, Property, Constitutional, Criminal, and Civil Procedure.
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to six fundamental areas of American law: Tort Law, Contract Law, Property Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. Led by expert faculty from the University of Pennsylvania, students will gain insights into the complexities and distinctive aspects of the American legal system. The course covers the basic principles, historical context, and practical applications of each area, offering a solid foundation for understanding how law shapes society and governance in the United States. Through lectures, case studies, and interactive quizzes, learners will develop a nuanced understanding of legal concepts and their real-world implications.
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What you'll learn
Understand the basic principles of Tort Law and its role in civil liability
Explore Contract Law and its importance in enforcing promises between individuals
Gain insights into Property Law and its governance of relationships between individuals and things
Analyze the structure and functioning of the U.S. government through Constitutional Law
Examine the fundamentals of Criminal Law and the rationale behind punishment
Learn about Civil Procedure and its role in structuring legal disputes
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
333 Minutes PreRecorded video
7 assignments
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
FullTime access
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There are 8 modules in this course
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to six key areas of American law: Tort Law, Contract Law, Property Law, Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, and Civil Procedure. Led by expert faculty from the University of Pennsylvania, the course explores the fundamental principles, historical context, and practical applications of each legal domain. Students will gain insights into the complexities of the American legal system and its distinctive features. The curriculum covers topics such as civil liability, contractual obligations, property rights, constitutional structures, criminal justice, and legal procedures. Through a combination of lectures, case studies, and interactive quizzes, learners will develop a nuanced understanding of how law shapes society, governance, and individual rights in the United States.
Welcome
Module 1 · 30 Minutes to complete
Tort Law
Module 2 · 1 Hours to complete
Contract Law
Module 3 · 1 Hours to complete
Property Law
Module 4 · 1 Hours to complete
Constitutional Law
Module 5 · 2 Hours to complete
Criminal Law
Module 6 · 1 Hours to complete
Civil Procedure
Module 7 · 1 Hours to complete
Final Exam
Module 8 · 30 Minutes to complete
Fee Structure
Payment options
Financial Aid
Instructors
Leading Voice in Privacy Law and Bioethics at Penn
Anita L. Allen, JD, PhD, MA, is a distinguished scholar in privacy law, bioethics, and contemporary values, renowned for her work in tort law, legal philosophy, women's rights, and race relations. She holds a JD from Harvard Law School and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Michigan. At the University of Pennsylvania, she serves as the Vice Provost for Faculty and the Henry R. Silverman Professor of Law and Philosophy. In 2010, she was appointed by President Obama to the Presidential Commission for the Study of Bioethical Issues. Allen has authored several influential books, including Unpopular Privacy: What Must We Hide (Oxford, 2011) and Privacy Law and Society (Thomson/West, 2011), and has published over a hundred scholarly articles along with contributions to popular media. She is a frequent guest on national television and radio programs, and has served on various editorial and advisory boards, as well as the boards of numerous nonprofits, including the Hastings Center and EPIC, where she received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Professor of Law and Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania
Tess Wilkinson-Ryan, JD, PhD, is a Professor of Law and Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, where she studies the psychology of legal decision-making. Her research explores how moral judgment influences legal choices, particularly in the context of private contracts and negotiations. Utilizing experimental methods from psychology and behavioral economics, Dr. Wilkinson-Ryan investigates how individuals' moral intuitions shape their legal decisions across various topics, including mortgage borrowing, retirement planning, and responses to breaches of contract. In 2012, she received the A. Leo Levin Award for Excellence in an Introductory Course. Recently, she published her book Fool Proof, which examines the fear of being perceived as a "sucker" and its impact on human behavior in diverse contexts, from personal decisions to broader social dynamics. Dr. Wilkinson-Ryan's interdisciplinary approach combines insights from psychology, sociology, and economics to shed light on the complexities of decision-making in legal settings.
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