Course
Legal Aspects of Architecture, Engineering, and the Construction Process
Number: BCT 597N
Credits: 3
Format: UWW (CPE)
Semester: Fall, Spring
Meeting Times: Thu (bi-weekly), 5:30 - 8:30
Room: Online
Instructor
Steve O'Neill,
Esq.
Instructor
Office: N/A
Phone: N/A
Email:
Course Description
*Currently Not Offered
Legal issues arising from design and construction services, with a practical focus on risk management and liability awareness. Topical areas include basic legal doctrines, contract documents, contract administration, liens & bonds, claims, professional liability, human resources, legal evidence & record keeping, and dispute resolution. The course will also touch on the special legal challenges presented by technological, scientific, and cultural developments including sustainability, BIM/VDC, mass timber, automation, and climate change.
This is a University Without Walls (UWW, formerly called CPE) course, which can be taken by anyone for a per-credit fee.
Learning Goals
- Understand the sources and nature of risk in the design and construction industry, with an eye to avoiding common mistakes that lead to disputes.
- Through textbook and other current resources, gain a broad basic understanding of the laws and regulations that influence and control the built environment.
- Understand practical strategies for spotting common and unique legal issues, incorporating risk management at all stages of a project, and deciding when to escalate problems to counsel.
- Develop strategies to manage the impact and risk of selected technological, scientific, and cultural “disrupters” in the industry. Various supplemental presentations, including guest lecture experts, will be used to expose the students to emerging challenges.
Textbook/Materials
Construction Law for Design Professionals, Construction Managers and Contractors
Justin Sweet, Marc M. Schneier, Blake Wentz / Cengage Learning