Frederick Community College LA105-Torts Online SPRING 2012
Class begins:	Class ends:	Last Day to Withdraw:

Jan. 30, 2012 May 18, 2012 April 16, 2012

Instructor Information:
Name: Dr. Tracy R. Parker	Office: H229
E-mail: tparker@frederick.edu	Phone Number: 301-624-2819
Contact Hours: Mondays 1:45pm-2:15pm Wednesdays 10:00-12:15pm Reply to student email within 24 to 36 hours	Campus Mail Box #: 290

(Evening/Weekend by appointment only)

Course Information:

Credits:3	Last Day to Drop: April 16, 2012
Prerequisites: EN50A and EN52	Co-requisites:
Meeting Day(s): ONL	Meeting Time(s): ONL

Course Description: Covers the fundamental principles of tort law. Including intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability. Examines the various types of damages that can be awarded and what need to be established to collect such damages.

Core Learning Outcomes:

By the completion of the course students will:

1. Identify and analyze the elements of negligence

2. Define the rights and obligations of the parties

3. Determine remedies that are available against a tortfeasor

4. Gather information necessary to evaluate a tort cause of action

5. Perform legal analysis to evaluate a tort cause of action

Instructional Methods:

Lecture (optional in-class sessions as determined by the instructor)

Group Discussion

Practical Exercises

Guided Independent Study

 How is this course organized:

This course is online, but it is not a self-paced course. Assignments are posted on Mondays by 5pm. Each assignment week begins on Monday at 5pm and ends the following Monday at 4:30pm. You are responsible for checking your class located on Blackboard and your email regularly (at least a few times a week). If you have questions regarding the organization of the course, you are responsible for contacting the instructor.

Text(s) and Course Materials: Tort Law for Paralegals, Neal R. Bevans 3^rd Edition (the 2^nd Edition may be used)

Progress Report:

By the end of the 4th week of the semester, you will have an opportunity to evaluate your progress in this course and decide if you need to make any adjustments (additional study, tutoring, conference with instructor) to assure your success in this course.

Evaluation Methods:

Tests / Papers / Projects	Point Value	Final Grade Scale
3 Exams	100 percentage points each	A= 90-100%
Discussion Boards: Extra Credit/Bonus Points (Participation is evaluated by informed engagement in discussion board forums. There must be evidence of legal analysis. Three percentage points may be added to the student’s final graded at the discretion of the instructor if the student has actively participated in the course.)		B= 89-90%
		C= 70-79%
		D= 60-69%
		F= 59% or below

If the graded performance for online assignments differs significantly from the grade average for proctored assignments, the instructor reserves the right to administer additional tests.

Student Services

A variety of services are available to assist students in succeeding at FCC. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Student Services web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/index.aspx.

Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations or who have questions related to disabilities services should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office at 301-846-2408. Students can learn more about these services by visiting the Services for Students with Disabilities web page: http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/disability.aspx.

Participation Policy:

You are required to login as directed to check the weekly assignment folders, announcements, and your FCC email. This course requires students’ participation in all learning activities.

All course assignments and exams are due on the dates specified. Course assignments includes all work covered in the assignment folders. The instructor will allow a make-up exam if the exam is missed due to a serious illness, emergency, religious holiday, or participation in an official college function. The student must provide supporting documentation for missing the exam. A make-up exam must be taken within the deadline set by the instructor.

Email Policy:

With the exception of MOL students, all FCC students will receive and are expected to use their FCC email address for correspondence with faculty and staff at the college. Students can establish and access their FCC email accounts at https://myfcc.frederick.edu. Email is an instructional tool essential to student-instructor and student-student communication. In the Blackboard environment by default, your email address is available to all students in this course.

However, students are permitted to use email addresses of other students in this course only for the purpose and the duration of this course.

The instructor can be expected to respond to regular student email inquiries (grades, posted assignments, and tests excluded) within the time frame of 24 to 36 hours.

Academic Integrity:

Work in this course is subject to the provisions of the FCC Code of Academic Integrity. Plagiarism in any form will not be tolerated. As a student, it is your job to practice academic honesty at ALL times. Make sure that all sources, particularly Internet sources, get proper credit for quotations, paraphrases, and ideas. More information about this and the Student Conduct Code are available at http://www.frederick.edu/student_services/studentpolicies.aspx

You must send your Academic Integrity Pledge to the instructor. The form is available at http://courses.frederick.edu/_utilities/regform.htm

TOPICAL OUTLINE

Weekly Assignments are posted on Blackboard in the Assignment Folders. If the assignment folders differ from this topical outline, you should follow the assignment folder.

Week	Subject	Content
1	Introduction to Law	Ch. 1: The US Constitution; Two-Tier System of Government; Basic Constitutional Law Principles; The Role of Law in Society; Sources of Law; Substantive and Procedural Law; Civil and Criminal Law
2	Introduction to Torts Intentional Torts Against Person	Ch. 2: What is a tort?, Types of Torts; Intentional Torts Against the Person; Assault, Battery, Transferred Intent; False Imprisonment; Infliction of Emotional Distress
3	Intentional Torts Against Property	Ch. 2: Torts Against Personal Property; Commercial Property Interest; Torts Against Real Property Ch. 3: Defenses to Intentional Torts
4	Intentional Torts Against Reputation	Ch. 11: Defamation; Private and Public Figures; Libel versus Slander
5	EXAM #1	EXAM #1
6	Negligence	Ch. 4: Overview of Negligence; Historical Perspective; Four Elements of Negligence Client Interviewing-Anatomy of Client Interview
7	Negligence	Ch. 5: Duty; Legal Definition; Court’s Determination; Duty from a Social Relationship; Premises Liability; Duty to Third Parties Ch. 6: Breach of Duty under Negligence Law; Breach Generally; Professional Standard; Expert Evidence and Breach of Duty
8	Negligence	Ch. 7: Proximate Cause; Developing the Concept; Court –created tests; Pleading Proximate Cause; Intervening Causes Ch. 8: Damages; Evaluating a Case for Potential Damages
9	Negligence	Ch. 9: Defenses; Contributory Negligence and Comparative Negligence;
10	Exam #2	Exam #2
11	Strict Liability and	Ch. 10: Ultra-hazardous Activity; Strict liability for animal behavior; Jurisdictional issues; Statute of Limitations;
12	Product Liability	Product Liability; Warranties; and Tort Law Therories
13	Insurance	Chapter 13: Impact of Insurance Suits; What is insurance? Automobile Insurance
14	Practical Exercise	Practical Exercise-Field Activity involving legal profession
15	Exam #3	Exam #3
Break	Online Courses observe Spring and Fall Break	March 19-25, 2012 No Classes, College Closed Official Make-up Dates: May 21-22, 2012

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this outline/assignment folders as needed.