Course syllabus for Construction contract relationships

Course syllabus adopted 2023-02-06 by Head of Programme (or corresponding).

Overview

  • Swedish nameKontraktsrelationer i byggandet
  • CodeTEK141
  • Credits7.5 Credits
  • OwnerMPDCM
  • Education cycleSecond-cycle
  • Main field of studyCivil and Environmental Engineering
  • DepartmentARCHITECTURE AND CIVIL ENGINEERING
  • GradingTH - Pass with distinction (5), Pass with credit (4), Pass (3), Fail

Course round 1

  • Teaching language English
  • Application code 88119
  • Maximum participants75
  • Block schedule
  • Open for exchange studentsNo
  • Only students with the course round in the programme overview.

Credit distribution

0121 Intermediate test 1.5 c
Grading: UG		 1.5 c
0221 Written and oral assignments 6 c
Grading: TH		 6 c

In programmes

Examiner

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Eligibility

General entry requirements for Master's level (second cycle)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Specific entry requirements

English 6 (or by other approved means with the equivalent proficiency level)
Applicants enrolled in a programme at Chalmers where the course is included in the study programme are exempted from fulfilling the requirements above.

Course specific prerequisites

Only for students admitted to Chalmers Master's programme in Design and Construction Project Management.

Aim

The contract is probably the most fundamental institution of private law. A contract is a legally binding agreement between two or more parties that defines the conditions surrounding the exchange of goods and services. Construction projects are carried out in collaboration between several firms and other organizations. Because of interdependencies and needs for information exchange between the parties, managing the inter-organizational relationships requires attention to both risks and responsibilities as defined in the formal contract, and also to softer relational and ethical issues. The aim of this course is to provide students with the knowledge to understand the role of contracts in project work in the construction industry. The course will moreover provide students with knowledge on formal as well as informal bases of social order in construction - whether contractually defined or not. Finally, course will introduce the students to issues related to procurement and legislation as these interact with contract and influence the successful management of contractual relationships in construction.

Learning outcomes (after completion of the course the student should be able to)

Knowledge
  • Understand what a contract is in different theoretical perspectives
  • Understand basic principles of general contract law
  • Identify and describe aspects of public regulations, including principles for sustainable procurement
Skills
  • Describe and analyze differences between legal systems, traditions and phases
  • Apply knowledge on contract law in an analysis of cases
  • Analyze and compare formal and informal basis of relationships in construction
  • Analyze activities to support trust, cooperation and innovation in project relationships
Competences
  • Evaluate contractual and procurement arrangements suitable for a specific project
  • Define, formulate and solve contractual issues through process-based pedagogy
  • Critically reflect on the role of contracts in construction (project) relationships

Content

  • Organization of the construction industry: types of firms and roles.
  • The nature of contracts.
  • Principles of construction law, standard contracts and their roles.
  • Formal and informal bases of social order.
  • Regulation and quasi-regulation.
  • Transactional and relational contracting.
  • Transaction costs.
  • Procurement principles, including award criteria, risk allocation in contracts, public procurement, EU directives, sustainability.
  • Partnerships, partnering and collaboration: types, systems, second-order contracts, trust and communication.

Organisation

The course includes the following learning activities:
  • lectures, including guest speakers from industry and academia
  • literature seminars
  • workshops
  • a group assignment
  • oral presentations

Literature

The literature will primarily consist of scientific articles but exerts from books will also be used.
Course literature also includes handouts from lectures (including slides).
Selected readings for the group assignment.

Examination including compulsory elements

Examination requirements are:
  • a written test for 20% of the final grade
  • a completed group project assignment, including paper and oral presentation 50%
  • an individual feedback on the course lectures for 30 % of the final grade
  • active participation in seminars and workshops will affect the final grading.

The course examiner may assess individual students in other ways than what is stated above if there are special reasons for doing so, for example if a student has a decision from Chalmers on educational support due to disability.