Curricula

Objective

If there is one product that all students share in common, it is clothing. Clothing is not simply a product; clothing is a cultural commodity that transcends all borders and is a driving force behind international global trade in the sale of goods. A fundamental element of the production, distribution, and sale of clothing that a global business manager must concern themselves is contract law. Contract law is unavoidable, but it is also an exciting part of a manager’s responsibilities. A contract is a strategic document that outlines the relationship and obligations between individuals and organizations and it must be drafted to take into consideration numerous variables and possibilities. From labor and employment contracts to transportation, distribution, and retail contracts, the supply chain and entire life cycle of clothing is permeated with contracts. Contract law is an essential area of business that all managers must understand and apparel is an ideal industry through which to explain contract law to students.

The course is designed to provide a basic understanding and appreciation for contract law through the global apparel industry and will provide students with an opportunity to consider the complexity of contracts in the lifecycle of clothing. Within the framework of traditional ethics, cultural considerations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), UN Sustainability Development Goals, and the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods, the course will explore a number of issues including sustainable sourcing, labor and employment concerns, globalization, and creating an overall sustainable supply chain through contracts.

The first part of the course will address ethical frameworks, cultural considerations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the UN Sustainability Development Goals as they relate to the production, distribution, and sale of clothing in order to provide the necessary common language for the students’ to effectively discuss the ethical issues an international business manager may encounter in contract law. The class will utilize case studies and group discussions to consider ethical issues.

The second part of the course addresses the fundamentals of contract law focusing on a variety of contracts, in particular, the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods and employment and labor contracts within the context of creating sustainable supply chain management in the clothing/fashion industry. Students will study contract law using case studies, role-play, and team projects in which teams negotiate and draft contracts from the perspective of different stakeholders.

The third part of the course addresses different cultural perspectives to contract formation and the types of remedies and dispute resolution mechanisms available when there is a breach of the contract. Student teams will present their case studies, student drafted contracts, issues presented and suggested solutions.

Upon completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Describe traditional ethical frameworks, cultural considerations, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and the UN Sustainability Goals.
• Describe the elements necessary to create an enforceable contract.
• Understand the role of the United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods.
• Understand the difference between labor and employment contracts, sales contracts, and a variety of other contracts in the supply chain.
• Understand the remedies for breach of contract and the available mechanisms for dispute resolution.
• Understand their own country’s contract law and issues.
• Develop a greater understanding of the issues related to the global apparel industry.
• Understand the cultural influences in contract formation and dispute resolution.
• Explain the role of sustainability and social responsibility in contract formation.
• Understand the role of contracts

Content

Week 1 – Ethical Frameworks: Addressing foundational and cross-cultural ethical considerations through discussion of case studies and role-playing. TBD.

Week 2 – Legal Frameworks: Understanding the nature of contact law at all levels of the supply-chain process. Breaking into teams to negotiate and draft simple contracts. TBD.

Week 3 – Breach of Contract: Dispute resolution remedies and team presentations. TBD.

Qualifications

Students should have an understanding of basic business principles and the role of international trade on domestic markets, but not required.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Items of Assessment:
• Class participation
• Team participation
• Assignments and quizzes
• Team presentation

Adequate (1) Knowledge and Understanding: The student is able to give some evidence of their theoretical and conceptual knowledge of ethics and contract law. Central concepts have been defined but vaguely. The student displays only superficial knowledge of the subject area.

Intellectual and Transferable Skills: The student is able to define the problem but has difficulties in interpretation and analyzing of the complex business issues and legal problems arising and is not able to evaluate them from multiple perspectives. The student demonstrates acceptable ability to compose and deliver effective group presentations.

Satisfactory (2) Knowledge and Understanding: The student is able to demonstrate the basic theoretical and conceptual knowledge of ethics and contract law. Central concepts have are defined fairly clearly. The student is able demonstrate command of the key concepts of subject area.

Intellectual and Transferable Skills: The student is able to describe the problem and somehow interpret and analyze complex business issues in question. The student is able to support his argumentation with some basic academic literature and other relevant information. The student demonstrates promising but still insufficient ability to compose and deliver effective group presentations.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3) Knowledge and Understanding: The student demonstrates theoretical and conceptual knowledge of ethics and contract law clearly. Central concepts have been defined well. The student displays fairly good command of the subject area.

Intellectual and Transferable Skills: The student is able to interpret and analyze complex business issues and legal problems from multiple perspectives. The student demonstrates a competent ability to compose and deliver effective group presentations.

Very good (4) Knowledge and Understanding: The student demonstrates solid and correct theoretical and conceptual knowledge of ethics and contract law. Central concepts have been defined accurately. The student displays a good command of the subject area.

Intellectual and Transferable Skills: The student is able to interpret and analyze complex business issues and legal problems arising from multiple perspectives. The student demonstrates very good ability to compose and deliver effective group presentations.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5) Knowledge and Understanding: The student demonstrates their mastery of theoretical and conceptual knowledge of ethics and contract law in detail. Central concepts have been defined with precision. The student displays a clear command of the subject area.

Intellectual and Transferable Skills: The student is able to interpret and analyze complex business issues and legal problems arising from multiple perspectives. The student demonstrates excellent ability to compose and deliver effective group presentations.

Further information

Course lecturer is
Dr Sean James Shannon, PhD, JD
Lecturer of Law
School of Economics and Business
State University of New York
College at Oneonta
324C Netzer Building
Oneonta, New York 13820
607.436.2195
Sean.Shannon@Oneonta.edu