LAW 204: TORTS SYLLABUS FALL 2009 Heather Procter, Instructor ______Number of Credits: 3 Transferability of Course within Nevada: See www.wnc.edu/academics/catalog/law/204.php Linkage of course to educational program mission and at least one educational program outcome: http://www.wnc.edu/academics/mission_outcomes/aas/la.php ______

Instructor Contact Information: [email protected]; (775) 684-1271; Office hours by appointment only.

Course Description: This course introduces the student to the area of torts, including intentional torts, negligence, strict liability, product liability, defenses, privileges and immunities. This course meets on Tuesdays, 7:00-9:45 pm, in CED 206.

Course Objectives or Outcomes: Students will gain factual knowledge regarding the field of tort law. Students will enhance their communication skills through class participation, discussions, oral presentations, special projects and written assignments. Finally, students will improve their critical thinking skills through basic legal analysis of case law, statutes and procedural rules.

Required Materials: Tort Law for Legal Assistants, Delmar Cengage Learning, 2009 (4th ed.); writing paper; blue/black pen; red pen.

Assignments:

September 1, 2009 Review Syllabus and IRAC; Chapter. 1 – Overview of Tort Law; Chapter 2 – Overview of a Tort Case; Hood v. Waldrum. September 8, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 3 – Intentional Torts; Snead v. Metro. Prop. and Casualty Ins. Co. September 15, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 4 – Negligence: Duty; Brown v. Arizona Public Serv. Co.; FRCP/NRCP 36. September 22, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 5 – Negligence: Breach of Duty; Delair v. McAdoo; FRCP/NRCP 33. September 29, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 6 – Negligence: Causation; Squires v. Reynolds; Weirum v. RKO General Inc.; FRCP/NRCP 34. Take-home midterm handed out. October 6, 2009 Mid-term due; Chapter 7 – Negligence: Damages; Warner v. McCaughan. October 13, 2009 Review midterm and quiz; Chapter 8 – Negligence: Defenses; Gallagher v. Cleveland Browns Football Co. October 20, 2009 Class Cancelled October 27, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 10 – Misrepresentation, Nuisance, and Other Torts; Hyma v. Lee. November 3, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 11 – Strict Liability; Siegler v. Kuhlman. November 10, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 12 – Product Liability; Greenman v. Yuba Power Products, Inc.. November 17, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 13 – Defamation; Barnes v. Clayton House Motel; FRCP/NRCP 30. November 24, 2009 Review quiz; Chapter 14 – Vicarious Liability; Syah v. Johnson; FRCP/NRCP 30. December 1, 2009 Make-up class December 8, 2009 Review for final exam. December 15, 2009 Final

Grading Policy and Procedures: I. Weekly Take-Home Quizzes – Up to 5 points each quiz. Take-home quiz will cover material from the prior class period. All quizzes are due at the beginning of the next class period. II. Oral Presentation of Case Summaries – Students will be required to present an oral presentation and written IRAC summary on one assigned case. 30 points possible for the oral presentation and written summary. III. Mid-Term – There are 40 points possible for the mid-term. The mid-term is a take-home examination in the same format as the weekly quizzes and IRAC case summaries. IV. Final – There are 50 points possible for the final. The final will be a closed-book, written, in-class exam, also in the same format as the weekly IRAC summaries. You may use one page of definitions. V. In-Class Participation – Students may earn up to 30 points for each class for class participation. VI. Final Grade Breakdown – Scores of 90-100% will receive an A (“superior”); scores of 80-89% will receive a B (“above average”); scores of 70-79% will receive a C (“average”); scores of 60-69% will receive a D (“below average”); score below 60% will receive a F.

Attendance: Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are registered. A student may be dropped from this course if they miss more than 2 classes without prior approval of instructor. Instructor will not give a student a “W” on their transcript unless previously arranged with instructor.

Class Preparation and Participation: Students must come to class prepared to discuss the assigned reading materials and IRAC summaries. All written homework is due at the beginning of the class period – no late work will be accepted. Students may arrange to e-mail the instructor a written assignment ONLY with prior permission from the instructor. Reading assignments are to be completed prior to class. All students are expected to act with courtesy and respect towards other students and to the instructor. To that end, turn off cell phones, pagers, etc. prior to the start of class and do not use laptops for anything other than class-related activities. There will be no make-up examinations or work unless previously arranged with instructor.

Academic Integrity Issues: Students are bound by the Western Nevada College Policy Manual regarding Academic Integrity; see http://www.wnc.edu/policymanual/3-4-5.htm.

Accommodations: If you have a disability for which you may need an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services Office (Bristlecone Building, Room 103) as soon as possible to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Counseling Assistance: Please note that in an effort to help students successfully complete their courses, the Counseling Office on campus will ask faculty for names of students they feel may be in need of additional assistance. A counselor may contact you to offer some ideas.

I reserve the right to change the syllabus as the class proceeds.