Contract Law

Rules, Cases, and Problems

Second Edition · Seth C. Oranburg · Carolina Academic Press (2025)

Professor Oranburg

Your Guide Through Middle-earth

Contract law is the law of promises. In this course companion, you will experience doctrine as a narrative — from Bilbo's first bargain in the Shire through the Fellowship's complex agreements to the remedies that make Middle-earth whole again.

7 modules. 28 chapters. One continuous story.

The Journey

Follow the Hero's Journey from the Shire to Mount Doom. Each module is a stage in the adventure — and a pillar of contract law.

Foundations
Module I · Ordinary World

Foundations

What is contract law? What is a contract?

Chapters 1–2

There and Back Again
Mutual Assent
Module II · Call to Adventure

Mutual Assent

Bargains, offers, termination, acceptance

Chapters 3–6

The Road Goes Ever On
Consideration & Alternatives
Module III · Tests & Allies

Consideration & Alternatives

Consideration, promissory estoppel, promissory restitution

Chapters 7–9

The Dragon's Price
Defenses to Formation
Module IV · Crossing the Threshold

Defenses to Formation

Statute of Frauds, mistake, improper bargaining, incapacity

Chapters 10–13

Shadows Over Middle-earth
Interpretation & Terms
Module V · Inmost Cave

Interpretation & Terms

Ambiguity, evidence, parol evidence, warranties

Chapters 14–18

The Words Beneath the Words
Performance & Breach
Module VI · The Ordeal

Performance & Breach

Conditions, performance, repudiation, excuse, modification

Chapters 19–23

The War of the Ring
Remedies & Third Parties
Module VII · Return with the Elixir

Remedies & Third Parties

Damages, limitations, alternatives, third-party beneficiaries

Chapters 24–28

The Return of the King

Resources

Everything you need for the course, in one place.

28

Podcast Episodes

Organized: The Business Law Breakdown, one canonical episode per chapter

Listen →
32

Video Lectures

28 canonical + 3 alternates + 1 exam-prep videos

Watch →
MCQ

Graded Quizzes

Multiple-choice quizzes delivered through Brightspace, aligned to chapter learning objectives

35

Interactive Exercises

7 module activities + 28 chapter exercises for self-paced practice

Course data snapshot

Contracts I & II (2026–2027) · 56 class pages · 65 cases · 117 rules · 91 problems · Casebook: Contract Law: Rules, Cases, and Problems (2d ed., 2025).

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