COURSE INFORMATION AND SYLLABUS. TEXTBOOK: Tort Law for Legal Assistants by Linda and Stanley Edwards; Texas Remedies Code, online

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1 LGLA Torts and Personal Injury Law Instructor: John A. Whitehead, J.D. Office Location: BA 103A (Kilgore) Office Phone: ( (Kilgore) COURSE INFORMATION AND SYLLABUS Office Hours: MWF 8:00 9:00 a.m. 1:00-2:00 p.m. TTh - 8:30-9:30 a.m. 1:30-2:30 p.m. Available other hours by appointment. TEXTBOOK: Tort Law for Legal Assistants by Linda and Stanley Edwards; Texas Remedies Code, online ATTENDANCE POLICIES: Please familiarize yourself with the Kilgore College student policies. With regard to absences, I will permit excessive absences only in extremely unusual circumstances. Two tardies will be counted as one absence. If it is necessary to miss a class, the student is responsible for consulting the instructor or another student in the class as soon as possible to check on assignments. I may drop you after 6 absences from a day class, 2 absences from a night class. If you decide to stop attending class, you should drop the class through the Registrar s Office. Failure to do so may result in a grade of F. ASSIGNMENTS: You are responsible for reading all assigned materials prior to class. The syllabus outlines when materials are to be covered, but it may be revised from time to time. Written assignments must be turned in on time. Five points will be deducted for every day an assignment is late. If it is necessary to miss a class, the student is responsible for consulting the instructor or another student in the class as soon as possible to check on assignments. EVALUATION: Your semester grade will be based on: 1) Quizzes/Assignments... 25% 2) Major Tests... 50% 3) Final Exam... 25% TESTING: Major tests will cover two or three chapters at a time. It will cover material from assigned reading and class lectures. I will use a variety of testing formats, including true/false, multiple choice and essay questions. One or more "pop" quizzes may be given during the semester as well. FINAL EXAM: The final exam will be comprehensive for the entire semester.

2 KILGORE COLLEGE LGLA 2303: TORTS AND PERSONAL INJURY LAW Syllabus I. COURSE DESCRIPTION (3-3-0) This course presents fundamental concepts of tort law with emphasis on the paralegal's role. Topics include intentional torts, negligence, and strict liability. Prerequisites: eligibility to enroll in READ 0308 or a passing score on the TASP test reading section. II. COURSE RATIONALE This course will teach the student the basics of tort law, an understanding of which is beneficial to any legal assistant. The law of torts and personal injury is also one of the topics covered on the CLA exam, the examination to be taken by graduates of our program to become a certified legal assistant. III. REQUIRED MATERIALS Text as listed in bookstore WESTLAW Campus online legal research program Learning guide as provided by instructor IV. STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES A. The student will define and properly use terminology relating to tort law s B. The student will locate, describe, and analyze sources of law relating to tort law, 8 C. The student will draft documents commonly used in tort law. Activities: text readings, class lectures, discussion and pleadings drafting assignment and pleadings drafting assignment, 8 D. The student will describe the role and ethical obligations of the paralegal in tort law. Activities: text readings, class lectures, discussion and pleadings writing assignment SCANS: 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7 E. The student will know the various types of intentional torts and the elements necessary to prove up each intentional tort in a lawsuit.

3 F. The student will understand the elements of and defenses to the cause of action of negligence. G. The student will understand the causes of action for product liability and strict liability. Scans: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 H. The student will understand the legal concepts of vicarious liability and joint liability in tort. Scans: 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 SCANS COMPETENCIES 1. READING 2. WRITING 3. CALCULATIONS 4. SPEAKING AND LISTENING 5. THINKING SKILLS 6. PERSONAL QUALITIES 7. WORKPLACE SKILLS 8. BASIC USE OF COMPUTERS V. Evaluation and classroom policies: per instructor

4 DAY-BY-DAY READING ASSIGNMENTS WEEK TOPIC ASSIGNED READING Week 1 - Introduction to course Overview of Tort Law Ch. 1 Overview of a Tort Case Ch. 2 Week 2 - Intentional Torts Ch. 3 Week 3 - Intentional Torts, continued Week 4 - Overview of Negligence Ch.4 Week 5 - Negligence: Requirement of Duty Ch. 5 Negligence: Breach of Duty Ch. 6 Week 6 - Negligence: Causation Ch. 7 Negligence: Damages Ch. 8 Week 7 - Negligence: Defenses Ch. 9 Week 9 Spring Break Week 10 Malpractice Ch. 10 Week 11 - Misrepresentation, Nuisance, and other Torts Ch. 11 Week 12 - Defamation and related Torts Ch. 14 Week 13 - Strict Liability Ch. 12 Product Liability Ch. 13 Week 14 - Product Liability, continued Week 15 - Vicarious and Joint Liability Ch. 15 & 16 Automobile Insurance Ch. 18 & 19

5 Week 16 - Workers Compensation Ch. 20 FINAL: To Be Announced