Overview

Learn how U.S. business law shapes everyday decisions about contracts, liability, regulation, ethics, and dispute resolution. In this course, you’ll build a practical foundation for recognizing legal issues, understanding where legal rules come from, and knowing when a business situation calls for deeper review or professional guidance. You’ll explore the sources of U.S. law, the structure of the court system, constitutional limits on government regulation, and the role of administrative agencies. From there, you’ll examine ethics and corporate social responsibility, intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, product liability, and the core elements of enforceable contracts. You’ll also learn how contract defenses, breach, remedies, public policy, litigation, arbitration, and mediation affect business outcomes. Designed for learners who work with agreements, policies, vendors, employees, customers, or organizational risk, this course makes business law approachable without oversimplifying it. By the end, you’ll be better prepared to spot legal risk, ask stronger questions, and make more informed business decisions.

Syllabus

Foundations of U.S. Business Law and Legal Authority

Business decisions are shaped by more than individual rules--they depend on where legal authority comes from, which court can hear a dispute, and how government agencies regulate business activity. In this module, you’ll examine sources of law, court structure, constitutional limits, and agency powers. By the end, you’ll be able to recognize how legal systems shape business risk and decision-making.

Business Ethics, Liability, and Contract Risk

Business risk is not limited to breaking the law--it also includes ethical judgment, harm caused outside contracts, product-related injuries, and failed agreements. In this module, you’ll examine legal and ethical obligations, tort liability, strict liability, product liability, and contract formation. By the end, you’ll be able to evaluate common business risks and recognize when legal issues require closer review.

Contract Enforceability, Performance, and Dispute Resolution

Business contracts matter only when they can be enforced, performed, and resolved when disputes arise. In this module, you’ll examine contract defenses, performance standards, breach remedies, public policy limits, and litigation and ADR options. By the end, you’ll be able to evaluate contract problems, anticipate legal change, and choose appropriate paths for resolving business disputes.

Applying Business Law to Risk, Contracts, and Dispute Resolution

Business law becomes most useful when you can connect legal rules to real decisions. In this final module, you’ll bring together sources of law, courts, regulation, ethics, liability, contracts, public policy, and dispute resolution. By the end, you’ll be able to evaluate business scenarios, recognize legal risk, and make informed recommendations about next steps.