Undergraduate Module Descriptor

LAW2015C: The Law of Torts

This module descriptor refers to the 2021/2 academic year.

The aims of this module are

to provide you with a clear understanding of the different types of legal obligation arising under the law of torts, and of the principles and rules governing the main types of tortious obligation;
to provide you with an understanding of the social and political dimensions of some aspects of tort law;
to enable you to read case law critically and use it in your own arguments;
to provide you with the opportunity to argue a tort law case together with others.

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. Demonstrate knowledge of the different types of legal obligation arising under the law of torts. 2. Explain and apply the principles and rules governing the main types of tortious obligation. 3. Critically debate the current state of aspects of tort law in social and political context.
Discipline-Specific Skills	4. Interpret and use case law in written and oral argument. 5. Use library and electronic resources, including journal articles and policy documents, to conduct research into legally complex areas.
Personal and Key Skills	6. Collaborate in a team to develop and evaluate strategies for tackling a problem. 7. Distinguish evidence-based claims from unfounded assertions and use evidence to support your own claims and arguments. 8. Demonstrate effective and accurate written communication skills in a manner appropriate to the discipline / different contexts.

Whilst the precise content may vary from year to year, it is envisaged that the syllabus will cover all or some of the following topics:

Introduction to tort law
Personal torts
The tort of negligence:
- Duty of care
  - Omissions
  - Psychiatric harm
  - Public bodies
  - Economic loss
- Breach of the duty of care
- Causation and remoteness of damage
- Defences
Occupiers’ liability
Product liability
Employers’ liability
Land-related torts:
- Trespass to land
- Private and public nuisance
- Rylands v Fletcher
Vicarious liability

Apart from these, the syllabus will also include a focus on the skills of argument.

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
60	240	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	20	20 x 1-hour lectures
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	18	9 x 2-hour seminars
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	10	Workshop activities
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	8	Advocacy Week
Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activity	4	Mock trial
Guided Independent Study	8	8 x 1-hour peer-led law firm meetings
Guided Independent Study	10	5 x 2-hour peer-led law firm meetings
Guided Independent Study	65	Lecture preparation
Guided Independent Study	91	Seminar and workshop preparation
Guided Independent Study	15	Formative assessment preparation
Guided Independent Study	51	Summative assessment preparation

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