GE1126 - Law for Smart Consumers

As the course name suggests, the aim of this course is to provide legal knowledge to students to help them become smart consumers. Through role-playing, discussion of current issues and video showing, students will gradually discover the issues and principles that govern our everyday transactions. Students will do a supermarket “role-play” and they can see the different issues that may arise from these simple transactions. For example, a scenario can involve a student having bought a packet of rotten tomatoes in a supermarket. What are the rights of this consumer? Has his rights been violated? Should the consumer involved call the police or should he accept the supermarket’s offer of getting another pack of tomatoes? They will know how consumers’ rights are protected through these role plays and how different bodies, e.g. the consumer council can help protect our interests. Discussion of current issues will encourage students to think about how “real” issues are dealt with – e.g. the recent tragic ferry incident can stimulate students’ thinking on whether the families of the victims will have a claim against the ferry company. Students will learn from the Lehman Brothers incident why and how weaker parties (e.g. the elderly people who were persuaded by bank officials to enter into a “minibond” transaction) are protected. Students will also get to look at real terms and conditions through during class discussions e.g. terms and conditions on the usage of, for example, ebay and other issues involving transacting over the internet. Videos will also be shown to help students understand consumers’ concerns and gradually discover how the law can help to protect their interests.

They will know the “dos” and “don’ts” whenever they enter into a transaction. They will be more aware of current issues and will therefore be trained to be more inquisitive.