LAW2161 : General Principles of Tort (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2024/25
- Module Leader(s): Professor Richard Mullender
- Lecturer: Dr Emilia Mickiewicz, Dr Nikki Godden-Rasul, Mr Keith Patten
- Owning School: Newcastle Law School
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 1 Credit Value: | 20 |
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 20.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
To develop knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of Tort Law, the adjudicative and legislative processes that issue in the development of Tort Law, the interfaces between Tort Law and other bodies of law (including, inter alia, Public Law), the relevance of legal materials from other jurisdictions to Tort Law, and the relevance of materials from other disciplines (e.g., political philosophy) to Tort Law.
Outline Of Syllabus
After an introduction (induction) to Tort Law, the course covers: Negligence law: its central doctrinal features and the law relating to particular subfields: e.g., psychiatric injury, medical negligence, and the liability of public bodies. Private nuisance and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher; Trespass to the person, harassment, and the rule in Wilkinson v Downton; Invasion of privacy and breach of confidence; and - Defamation
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 44 | 1:00 | 44:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 60 | 1:00 | 60:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 8 | 1:00 | 8:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 11 | 1:00 | 11:00 | Q&A sessions to deepen knowledge, refine understanding, and seek guidance on skills development |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 277 | 1:00 | 277:00 | N/A |
| Total | 400:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures: These lectures will focus on the substantive content of the course (particular heads of tort liability) and will deliver this content in ways attuned to the knowledge outcomes indicated earlier.
Small-group teaching: These seminars will focus on the module's core content (negligence, private nuisance and the rule in Rylands v Fletcher, trespass to the person, invasion of privacy (including breach of confidence), and defamation). These seminars will involve the exploration of questions in ways attuned to the knowledge and cognitive skills outcomes indicated earlier.
Structured guided learning: students will engage in guided activity that concerns the close reading of cases and articles (with the aim of enriching their knowledge base and refining their skills (e.g., interpretation and argument)). They will also have the opportunity to enter into dialogue with one another on relevant materials (in the context of Canvas-based discussion groups).
Scheduled online contact time (question and answer sessions): The purpose of these events is to enable students to refine their understanding of the cases and texts they examine on the course by seeking clarification or guidance on points that these materials have prompted them to consider. They will also be able to seek guidance on how to relate the knowledge and insights they have gained to the refinement of relevant skills (interpretation, argument, and research).
Independent study hours will make it possible for students to gain knowledge and understanding of the array of materials (cases, academic outputs, etc) relevant to the areas of tort law the course encompasses. Students will have 60 hours to prepare for and (in the case of the coursework) complete their assessments.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written Examination | 135 | 2 | A | 67 | 3 out of the 6 questions available, covering topics not assessed by coursework (take-home if needed) |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Written exercise | 2 | M | 33 | A 2000 word submission (that builds on the formative work that precedes it). |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The assessed coursework and the examination each afford students opportunities to apply knowledge and skills of the sort indicated earlier. More generally, this module has been designed with the aim of supplementing settled features of the pedagogic scene (lectures and seminars) with a package of guidance and support that have the purpose of spurring progression and encouraging intense engagement: (e.g., close reading and critical reflection and regular question-and-answer events). The weighting, as between the examination and the coursework, has been restored to the pre-Covid crisis status quo. The 67%-33% split worked very well for many years. Two-thirds of the marks will, once again, be available in the context of an assessment that spans the course as a whole (rather than a segment of it).
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- LAW2161's Timetable