American Law of Torts

1. Understand the role and differing characteristics of the common law, in contrast to

statutory or regulatory law;

2. Understand the process through which common law is made and changed;

3. Understand the role of state courts in creating and evolving Tort law, as contrasted

with the federal courts;

4. Introduce you to learn basic concepts about the structure of the civil legal system,

the common law, and to demonstrate mastery of the above content.

This course will entail an examination of the common law of torts in the United States. Torts is a doctrinal course teaching substantive private law. In the United States, for reasons having to do with federalism and the dictates of the U.S. Constitution, tort law is almost entirely a creature of state law. The purpose of Tort Law is to provide remedies for the invasion of protected interests and for acts that cause physical injury or that interfere with physical security or movement. The course will look into the relative functions of judge and jury in determining liability and damages. and to the interplay between standards of liability and problems of proofs. The course will also focus on actions for physical and property injury, and includes intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, products liability, damages, and wrongful death

1. Understand the role and differing characteristics of the common law, in contrast to

statutory or regulatory law;

2. Understand the process through which common law is made and changed;

3. Understand the role of state courts in creating and evolving Tort law, as contrasted

with the federal courts;

4. Introduce you to learn basic concepts about the structure of the civil legal system,

the common law, and to demonstrate mastery of the above content.

One examination covering topics in class common law, State v Federal Law and other material covered in the lecture material or documents given to the class.