This course introduces the legal structure of the modern corporation. Rather than treating corporate law as a technical checklist, we will study it as a system of institutional design that allocates power, defines obligations, and structures economic behavior. Through close readings of key cases and practical examples, you will learn how the law creates and governs the firm, how directors are shielded and constrained, and how rules interact with norms to shape decision-making inside companies.
We will begin with the foundational attributes of the corporate form and move through formation, governance, fiduciary duties, shareholder litigation, and major corporate transactions. Along the way, you will come to see corporate law not as a niche subject, but as one of the central legal pillars of the modern economy. Whether your interest is in law, business, or public policy, this course will provide a clear and thoughtful introduction to how corporations are built, maintained, and challenged.
This module introduces the foundational elements of American corporate law and the role it plays in shaping modern business institutions. Learners will explore how the corporation is not merely a business vehicle, but a legal architecture constructed through statutes, judicial interpretation, and economic incentives. Key concepts such as legal personhood, limited liability, centralized control, and share transferability will be discussed, setting the stage for a deeper understanding of the corporation’s role in the economy and society.
Das ist alles enthalten
11 Videos
Infos zu Modulinhalt anzeigen
11 Videos•Insgesamt 42 Minuten
Introduction•7 Minuten
What is a Corporation?•4 Minuten
Shareholders - Residual Claimants•3 Minuten
Who are the Shareholders?•1 Minute
Agency Costs•3 Minuten
Why Delaware?•5 Minuten
Court of Chancery•5 Minuten
Corporate Personhood•2 Minuten
Limited Liability•5 Minuten
Separation of Ownership and Control•4 Minuten
Liquidity and Flexible Capital Structure•4 Minuten
Formation and Governance of the Corporation
Modul 2•24 Minuten abzuschließen
Moduldetails
Building on foundational concepts, this module walks learners through how corporations are formed and governed. It covers the procedural and substantive steps in incorporation, including the filing of charters and the adoption of bylaws. Learners will examine how governance is structured through shareholder voting, board formation, and rule-based systems that define internal corporate authority. The module emphasizes the ways law enables control, coordination, and accountability within the firm.
Das ist alles enthalten
5 Videos
Infos zu Modulinhalt anzeigen
5 Videos•Insgesamt 24 Minuten
The General Charter•6 Minuten
The Incorporation Process•6 Minuten
Governing the Corporation•3 Minuten
Issuing Stock and Director Action•5 Minuten
Stockholder Action•4 Minuten
Fiduciary Duties and Procedural Gatekeeping
Modul 3•1 Stunde abzuschließen
Moduldetails
This module focuses on the obligations of corporate fiduciaries and the legal frameworks that manage agency costs. It introduces the core fiduciary duties of loyalty and care, examines protective doctrines like the business judgment rule, and analyzes key cases that illustrate these principles. Learners will also study the procedural rules governing shareholder litigation, including derivative suits, demand requirements, and special litigation committees, all of which act as gatekeepers to corporate accountability.
Das ist alles enthalten
8 Videos
Infos zu Modulinhalt anzeigen
8 Videos•Insgesamt 44 Minuten
Managing Agency Costs•4 Minuten
Duty of Care: Dodge vs. Ford•7 Minuten
The Business Judgment Rule•5 Minuten
The Duty of Loyalty•8 Minuten
Direct Suits•5 Minuten
Derivative Suits•4 Minuten
The Demand Requirement•6 Minuten
Zapata Two-Step•5 Minuten
Firm Types, Transactions, and Narrative Enforcement
Modul 4•2 Stunden abzuschließen
Moduldetails
The final module expands the scope to consider variations in firm structure, major corporate transactions, and the cultural and narrative dimensions of corporate law. It examines closely held firms and their unique governance challenges, merger and acquisition law including fiduciary realignment, and the informal ways in which norms, stories, and reputational incentives shape behavior in the corporate sphere. Learners will gain a nuanced view of how law functions both formally and informally at the boundaries of institutional enforcement.
Das ist alles enthalten
10 Videos1 Aufgabe
Infos zu Modulinhalt anzeigen
10 Videos•Insgesamt 48 Minuten
Closely-Held Firms•4 Minuten
Minority Owners•5 Minuten
Minority Oppression Doctrine•4 Minuten
Dissolution•4 Minuten
Minority Oppression Problem•3 Minuten
Buyout Provision•3 Minuten
Introduction to Mergers and Acquisitions•4 Minuten
The University of Pennsylvania (commonly referred to as Penn) is a private university, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. A member of the Ivy League, Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States, and considers itself to be the first university in the United States with both undergraduate and graduate studies.
OK
Warum entscheiden sich Menschen für Coursera für ihre Karriere?
Felipe M.
Lernender seit 2018
„Es ist eine großartige Erfahrung, in meinem eigenen Tempo zu lernen. Ich kann lernen, wenn ich Zeit und Nerven dazu habe.“
Jennifer J.
Lernender seit 2020
„Bei einem spannenden neuen Projekt konnte ich die neuen Kenntnisse und Kompetenzen aus den Kursen direkt bei der Arbeit anwenden.“
Larry W.
Lernender seit 2021
„Wenn mir Kurse zu Themen fehlen, die meine Universität nicht anbietet, ist Coursera mit die beste Alternative.“
Chaitanya A.
„Man lernt nicht nur, um bei der Arbeit besser zu werden. Es geht noch um viel mehr. Bei Coursera kann ich ohne Grenzen lernen.“
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.