GOVT280: Undergraduate Torts

11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 08/08/2024

Course Description

Students will examine the parameters of tort law and learn how to analyze and apply principles of tort law. Through readings, lectures, discussions and individual research each student will analyze how American jurisprudence assigns social duties, assesses damages, and determines the distribution of burdens for the risk of harm to include; when a court should award money from one party to another for intentional acts, for negligent acts, and for certain non-negligent acts.

Rationale

The purpose of this course is for students to examine the way American jurisprudence determines social duties, evaluates risks of harm and calculates damages. It is important for students in the School of Government to understand the fundamental tort law principles, an overview of the techniques that are involved in assessing the claim and the damages caused and the ways in which tort law is changing.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (2)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each Discussion. Each thread must be 250 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 2 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 125 words.

Activity Assignments (3)

After reading and reviewing the items found in the Learn section for the assigned Module: Week, the student will complete a corresponding activity. Answers to the questions must be well-organized and use proper grammar. Each activity must be at least 1.5 pages.

Research Paper Assignment

The student will write an 6-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on tort law. The paper must include at least 6 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.

Quizzes (4)

Each quiz will cover the Learn material for the assigned Module: Week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 40 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 2 hour time limit.