Scott's Tots: A Class Activity in Contract Formation

Abstract

This teaching note presents an active learning exercise using a clip from the television show The Office. The exercise centers on a promise to pay for the college education of a group of third graders, raising questions about capacity, consideration, offer, acceptance, statute of frauds, revocations, promissory estoppel, and other key contract elements. This resource is designed to be adaptable for various teaching styles and class modalities and can be implemented at any point in the semester, even before contracts have been covered. The note explores the pedagogical benefits of implementing pop culture videos and active learning techniques to enhance student engagement and understanding. It provides detailed guidance on conducting the activity, including discussion points, sample exam questions, and an analogous, real-life circumstance.