SRJC Course Outlines

3/28/2024 11:43:54 PMPLS 62 Course Outline as of Fall 2021

Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION

Discipline and Nbr:  PLS 62Title:  TORTS  
Full Title:  Torts
Last Reviewed:9/14/2020

UnitsCourse Hours per Week Nbr of WeeksCourse Hours Total
Maximum3.00Lecture Scheduled3.0017.5 max.Lecture Scheduled52.50
Minimum3.00Lab Scheduled06 min.Lab Scheduled0
 Contact DHR0 Contact DHR0
 Contact Total3.00 Contact Total52.50
 
 Non-contact DHR0 Non-contact DHR Total0

 Total Out of Class Hours:  105.00Total Student Learning Hours: 157.50 

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade Only
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly: 

Catalog Description:
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An in-depth examination of all phases of tort litigation from the initial stages of planning and preparing the civil lawsuit to trial.  Elements of tort causes of action are discussed in depth.  Negligence, a common element, is explained and applied to case fact patterns.  Common torts such as product liability, wrongful death, invasion of privacy and defenses to torts are presented for analysis.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:
Course Completion or Current Enrollment in PLS 51


Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description: Untitled document
An in-depth examination of all phases of tort litigation from the initial stages of planning and preparing the civil lawsuit to trial.  Elements of tort causes of action are discussed in depth.  Negligence, a common element, is explained and applied to case fact patterns.  Common torts such as product liability, wrongful death, invasion of privacy and defenses to torts are presented for analysis.
(Grade Only)

Prerequisites:Course Completion or Current Enrollment in PLS 51
Recommended:
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:Effective:Inactive:
 Area:
 
CSU GE:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
IGETC:Transfer Area Effective:Inactive:
 
CSU Transfer:TransferableEffective:Fall 2010Inactive:
 
UC Transfer:Effective:Inactive:
 
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Major Applicable Course



COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
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1. Identify and enumerate the elements for causes of action in tort cases.
2. Distinguish between intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability.
3. Perform tort litigation drafting tasks that are typically assigned to paralegals.
 

Objectives: Untitled document
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Draft and respond to pleadings in tort.
2. Apply appropriate standards of reasonableness, causation, and forseeability in tort actions.
3. Assist with assessment and investigation of claims for potential damages.

Topics and Scope
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I. Introduction to Tort Litigation and Drafting
    A. Categories of torts
    B. Elements of torts
    C. Tort terminology
    D. Drafting pleadings in tort
II. Negligence: Summary
    A. Duty
    B. Breach
    C. Causation
    D. Damages
III. Negligence: Foreseeability
    A. Objective standard
    B. Determination "formula"
    C. Area analysis
    D. Activity analysis
    E. People analysis
    F. Preparation analysis
    G. Historical data
    H. Common Sense
IV. Negligence: Duty
    A. General rule
    B. Unforeseeable plaintiff
    C. Nonfeasance and special relationships
    D. Gratuitous undertaking
V. Negligence: Breach of Duty
    A. Standard of care:  reasonableness
    B. Breach of duty equation
    C. Objective or subjective standard
    D. Res ipsa loquitur
    E. Violation of statute, ordinance, or regulation
    F. Gross negligence and willful, wanton, reckless conduct
    G. Vicarious liability
    H. Medical malpractice
    I. Legal malpractice
VI. Negligence: Proximate Cause
    A. Evidence of causation
    B. Cut-off test of proximate cause
    C. Intervening causes
    D. Unforeseeable plaintiff
    E. Analysis of proximate cause
VII. Negligence: Damages
    A. Types of damages
    B. Pain and suffering
    C. Property damage
    D. Doctrine of avoidable consequences
    E. Joint tortfeasors
    F. Indemnity
VIII. Negligence: Defenses
    A. Contributory negligence
    B. "Last clear chance"
    C. Comparative negligence
    D. Assumption of the risk
IX. Intentional Torts
    A. Torts that survive
    B. Common law and statutory law
    C. Characteristics of actions that survive
    D. Wrongful death
    E. Avoiding double recovery
X. Infliction of Emotional Distress
    A. Intentional infliction of emotional distress
    B. Extreme or outrageous conduct
    C. Intent
    D. Causation
    E. Severe emotional distress
    F. Negligent infliction of emotional distress
    G. Physical harm and injury
    H. Later physical harm or injury
    I. Witnessing someone else's injury
XI. False Imprisonment and False Arrest
    A. Confinement
    B. Intent
    C. Causation
    D. Consciousness of harm
    E. Peace officer's privilege of arrest
    F. Private citizen's privilege of arrest
XII. Defamation
    A. Libel
    B. Slander
    C. Absolute privilege
    D. Publication
    E. Damages
XIII. Assault and Battery
    A. Intent and motive
    B. Harmful or offensive
    C. Transferred intent
XIV. Torts Against the Family
    A. Loss of consortium
    B. Loss of services
    C. Abduction or enticement of a child
    D. Criminal conversations
XV. Torts Connected with Land
    A. Trespass
    B. Strict liability for abnormally dangerous conditions or activities
    C. Nuisance
    D. Special problems of buyers and sellers
    E. Landlord and tenant
    F. Invasion of privacy
XVI. Business Torts
    A. Disparagement
    B. Interference with contract relations
    C. Injurious falsehood
    D. Interference with prospective advantage
XVII. Privileges and Immunities
    A. Consent in tort law
    B. Self-help privileges
    C. Sovereign immunity
    D. Official immunity-liability of government
    E. Employees
XVIII. Strict Liability
    A. Negligence
    B. Manufacturer and non-manufacturer
    C. Defenses
    D. Misrepresentation
    E. Warranty and strict liability
    F. Express and implied warranties
    G. Strict liability in tort
    H. Defective products that are unreasonably dangerous

Assignments:
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1. Read textbook and outside sources of approximately 40 pages per week
2. Weekly pleadings in tort written homework assignments based on lecture and readings
3. Analysis of tort fact patterns
4. Participation in weekly discussions
5. Group work and group presentations of pleadings in tort
6. Tort terminology - homework
7. Midterm and final

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.
Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.Writing
20 - 25%
Weekly pleadings in tort written homework assignments, tort fact patterns
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.Problem Solving
20 - 25%
Tort terminology - homework, assignments, group work and presentations of pleadings in tort
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.Skill Demonstrations
0 - 0%
None
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.Exams
40 - 45%
Midterm and final
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.Other Category
10 - 20%
Attendance and participation in weekly discussions


Representative Textbooks and Materials:
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Essentials of Torts. 3rd ed. Statsky, William. Cengage Learning. 2012 (classic)

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