Course Outline for Paralegal Studies 37
Tort Law

Effective: Fall 2023
SLO Rev: 01/11/2022
Catalog Description:

PLGL 37 - Tort Law

3.00 Units

This course focuses on the fundamental concepts of tort law, including intentional torts, negligence, trespass, strict liability, personal injury, mental distress, as well as commonly employed defenses. This course will help fulfill the requirements of the 24-unit Paralegal Studies Certificate.
Strongly Recommended: PLGL 30.
1402.00 - Paralegal*
Optional
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. identify and apply the elements of tort law and apply to specific fact patterns;
  2. identify, analyze and differentiate between the various types of intentional torts;
  3. identify, analyze and differentiate between the various types of strict liability in tort actions;
  4. identify, analyze and differentiate between the various types of defenses and damages relating to torts;
  5. identify analyze legal issues in specific fact patterns and apply rules of tort law;
  6. understand and summarize defenses related to negligence, including contributory, comparative, and assumption of risk, as well as extent of liability for a negligent act;
  7. analyze and determine types of defamation actions, including slander and libel, and whether it can be successfully brought in a hypothetical fact pattern;
  8. understand and analyze the basic principals of product liability law, including defects and breach of warranty;
  9. identify, analyze and differentiate types of economic torts, including misrepresentation, allegations of falsehoods, and malicious prosecution;
  10. identify and apply tort law regarding special duties owed, including those by lessors, land owners, common carriers, innkeepers, etc.
Course Content:
  1. Torts against the person
    1. Battery
    2. Assault
    3. False imprisonment
    4. Intentional infliction
  2. Torts against property
    1. Trespass to chattels
    2. Trespass to land
    3. Types of intent
  3. Defenses to torts
    1. Consent of persons
    2. Consent privileges regarding property
    3. Self defense
    4. Defense of others
  4. Negligence
    1. Duty of care
    2. Breach of duty
    3. Causation and harm
    4. Proximate cause
    5. Indirect causation
  5. Special duties
    1. Statutory duties
    2. Aid in emergency
    3. Contractual agreements
    4. Common carriers
    5. Actions of a third person
    6. Land occupiers
    7. Lessors
    8. Emotional distress
  6. Defenses to negligence
    1. Contributory negligence
    2. Comparative negligence
    3. Assumption of risk
  7. Strict liability
    1. Injuries inflicted by animals
    2. Abnormally dangerous activities
  8. Products liability
    1. Liability for intentional torts, negligence and strict liability
    2. Defects
    3. Liability and defenses to products liability
    4. Breach of warranty
    5. Nuisance
  9. Defamation
    1. Libel
    2. Slander
    3. Defenses to defamation
  10. Economic torts
    1. Misrepresentation
    2. Injurious falsehood
    3. Interference with contracts
    4. Malicious prosecution
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Lecture/Discussion
  2. Oral and Written Analysis
  3. Problem Solving
  4. Written assignments
  5. Group Presentations
  6. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Analyze fact patterns to determine when an action for defamation can be brought and if the cause of action is slander or libel.
  2. Analyze fact patterns and identify when a cause of action be brought for negligence and if the cause of action is based on a theory of contributory negligence, comparative negligence, or assumption of risk.
  3. Analyze fact patterns to determine when an action can be brought for violations of product liability law, and if the cause of action is defects or breach of warranty.
  4. Analyze fact patterns to determine when an action can be brought for economic torts and determine if the cause of action is misrepresentation, allegations of falsehoods, or malicious prosecution.
  1. Attendance
  2. Class Participation
  3. Exams/Tests
  4. Written assignments
  5. Papers
  6. Quizzes
  7. Final Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Identify, analyze and apply the rules which apply to the category of intentional torts, including defamation, misrepresentation, and malicious prosecution.
  2. Identify, understand and summarize appropriate defenses to tort allegations, including contributory and comparative negligence, as well as assumption of risk.
  3. Identify and analyze specialized torts, including economic torts, special duties owed, and allegations pertaining to product liability law.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Morissette, E., L. (2020). Personal Injury & the Law of Torts for Paralegals (5th). Aspen Law.
  2. Bevans, N., R. (2015). Tort Law for Paralegals (5th). Wolters Kluwer Law & Business.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
This course focuses on the fundamental concepts of tort law, including intentional torts, negligence, trespass, strict liability, personal injury, mental distress, as well as commonly employed defenses.
Strongly Recommended: PLGL 30.