This course provides an in-depth and structured exploration of tort law—the body of law governing civil wrongs for which the injured party may seek redress in the form of damages or equitable relief. Through a doctrinal and policy-based approach, students will learn the core principles of intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability. The course also addresses issues such as causation, damages, defenses, and the evolving landscape of tort reform and emerging technologies.
The study of torts not only offers insight into how law responds to personal and property injuries, but also helps learners understand the relationship between individual responsibility, deterrence, compensation, and justice in a civil society. The course will incorporate illustrative real-world cases, deep doctrinal analysis, and practical applications to prepare students for legal reasoning, bar examination, and actual litigation practice.
Course Objectives
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
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Identify and analyze the core doctrines governing tort liability in the United States.
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Distinguish among intentional torts, negligence-based liability, and strict liability regimes.
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Apply legal principles to hypothetical and real-world factual scenarios involving civil wrongs.
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Evaluate policy rationales behind tort doctrines, including compensation, deterrence, and corrective justice.
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Articulate viable legal defenses and assess their impact on liability and damages.
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Understand the evolution of tort law in light of technological change, mass torts, and reform movements.
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Critically assess issues of proximate cause, damages, joint liability, and immunities.
