Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW2015B: The Law of Torts

This module descriptor refers to the 2019/0 academic year.

Module Aims

The aim of this module is to develop your understanding of the law of torts, including its responsibility bases, the kinds of damage for which it permits a remedy and those for which it does not offer a remedy. Consideration will be given to the aims of tort law and some assessment made of its efficacy in achieving those aims.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
This module's assessment will evaluate your achievement of the ILOs listed here – you will see reference to these ILO numbers in the details of the assessment for this module.
On successfully completing the programme you will be able to:
Module-Specific Skills	1. understand and critically reflect upon the operation of the contemporary law of torts within its social context; 2. develop the ability to use relevant information to understand how the law of torts operates and to apply their understanding to a range of different perspectives and concepts relating to tort law;
Discipline-Specific Skills	3. demonstrate knowledge of legal concepts and their contextual, social and political implications; 4. demonstrate the ability to apply legal knowledge to a problem / case study and to discuss it; 5. demonstrate the ability to select and present in a coherent way, orally and in writing, relevant law and legal / theoretical arguments.
Personal and Key Skills	6. demonstrate effective and accurate written communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline / different contexts; 7. demonstrate effective and accurate oral communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline / different contexts; 8. identify, retrieve and use efficiently a range of library-based and electronic resources with some guidance; 9. demonstrate the ability to interact effectively within a team / learning group and to share information and ideas. 10. demonstrate the ability to work independently, within a limited time frame, and without access to external sources, to complete a specified task.

Module Content

Syllabus Plan

It is envisaged that the syllabus will include the following topics in the following order, although precise content and order may vary according to the availability of specialist teaching staff.

Introduction to Tort

Trespass to Person

Trespass to Land

Private Nuisance

Rylands v Fletcher

Public Nuisance

Defamation

Malicious Prosecution

Malicious Falsehood

Privacy

Introduction to Negligence

Duty of Care

Psychiatric Harm

Public Bodies

Omissions

Financial Loss

Breach

Causation of Damage

Remoteness of Damage

Defences

Vicarious Liability

Learning and Teaching

This table provides an overview of how your hours of study for this module are allocated:

Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities	Guided independent study	Placement / study abroad
55	245	0

...and this table provides a more detailed breakdown of the hours allocated to various study activities:

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	55	22 x 2.5 hour Leminars
Guided Independent Study	88	Leminar preparation
Guided Independent Study	32	Formative assessment preparation
Guided Independent Study	62	Summative assessment preparation
Guided Independent study	63	Individual reading preparation

Online Resources

This module has online resources available via ELE (the Exeter Learning Environment).

www.bailii.org

Indicative Reading List

This reading list is indicative - i.e. it provides an idea of texts that may be useful to you on this module, but it is not considered to be a confirmed or compulsory reading list for this module.

(1) J Murphy and C Witting, Street on Torts (13th ed, 2012)

(2) M Lunney and K Oliphant, Tort Law: Text and Materials (5th ed, 2013