Chart of Assignments
Section Four
The Section of Champions
The Section of Champions
Assignments updated as of: November 26, 2025.
Please refresh this page to see the latest version.
Key:
If the reading for a given day includes questions or problems, you should prepare answers to those ahead of class.
"TC&C" refers to Torts: Cases and Context, Volumes One and Two (Pylon Edition, Version 2.1). Chapters 1-12 are in Volume One. Chapters 13 and above are in Volume Two.
"Edwards" refers to Four Trials by John Edwards, with John Auchard (2004), ISBN-13: 978-0743272049.
Day by Day:
Week No 1
MONDAY August 25 No 1
1. Welcome, Class Parameters
No reading.
TUESDAY August 26 No 2
2. The Place of Torts and a Model Tort
Read all of TC&C Chapter 1 "Basic Concepts."
WEDNESDAY August 27 No 3
3. Blackletter Overview
Read all of TC&C Chapter 2 "An Overview of Tort Law."
Week No 2
MONDAY September 1
Labor Day - no class
TUESDAY September 2 No 4
3. Blackletter Overview, continued
Read all of TC&C Chapter 3, "Introduction to Negligence."
WEDNESDAY September 3 No 5
3. Blackletter Overview, continued
No additional reading.
4. Procedural Context for Torts
Read all of TC&C Chapter 4 "An Example of a Negligence Case."
Week No 3
MONDAY September 8 No 6
4. Procedural Context for Torts, continued
Skim back over Georgetown v. Wheeler in TC&C Chapter 4, which was in the reading from last class session. Time ran out, and I'd like to spend just a few more minutes on it to point out some things in the opinion, which I'll do at the beginning of this class.
3. Blackletter Overview, continued
Please read whatever portion of the mindmap we didn't cover in class. Don't worry about understanding it all. It's helpful to have looked at it for having a framework for the subject -- including what's ahead in our class and aspects of tort law we won't otherwise be addressing.
5. When and to Whom a Duty of Care is Owed
Read all of TC&C Chapter 5.A (pp. 78-79).
Read all of TC&C Chapter 5.B, but skip Kubert (pp. 79-89).
Read all of TC&C Prepare an answer to Problem: WZX Cash Patrol (TC&C p.88).
TUESDAY September 9 No 7
5. When and to Whom a Duty of Care is Owed, continued
Read TC&C Chapter 5.D, but skip Theobald v. Dolcimascola and Tarasoff v. UC Regents; do, however,
read the paragraph "The Tarasoff Exception" (pp. 108-109; 115-129).
6. Determining Breach, in General
Read TC&C Chapter 6.A (pp.143-156).
[We didn't get to this; held over for next week.]
WEDNESDAY September 10 No 8
6. Determining Breach, in General
Read Edwards: Howard v. Collins & Aikman (pp. 131-158).
[We didn't get to this; held over for next week.]
Week No 4
MONDAY September 15 No 9
5. When and to Whom a Duty of Care is Owed, continued
No new reading. I'll finish up discussing South v. Amtrak and existence of a duty.
6. Determining Breach, in General
Read TC&C Chapter 6.A (pp.143-156).
TUESDAY September 16 No 10
6. Determining Breach, in General
Read Edwards: Howard v. Collins & Aikman (pp. 131-158).
WEDNESDAY September 17 No 11
7. The Reasonable Person Standard of Care
Read TC&C Chapter 6 §B and §C, but skip Breunig. (I.e., read pp.157-164, 169-174.)
Week No 5
MONDAY September 22 No 12
8. Negligence Per Se
Read TC&C Chapter 6 §D, but skip Martin v. Herzog. (∴ pp.174-181, 194-195).
Prepare an answer to Problem: Westbound Walker (TC&C p.195-196). (But don’t do the “SparkleStar Skate” problem.)
Hey there! Pro tip: Coming up soon -- almost certainly next week -- you'll be assigned to watch the movie "A Civil Action" (1998, written and directed by Steven Zaillian). There are multiple copies on DVD on reserve in the library, and it also may be available by streaming. If it's more convenient and fun to watch the movie further in advance, go ahead and do so.
TUESDAY September 23 No 13
9. The Role of Custom or Standard Practices
Read TC&C Chapter 6 §E (pp.198-203).
10. Res Ipsa Loquitur
Read TC&C Chapter 6 §G (pp.217-229).
WEDNESDAY September 24 No 14
11. Special Rules for Land Conditions and Bailments
Read TC&C Chapter 6, portion of §H on pp. 229-234.
Week No 6
MONDAY September 29 No 15
11. Special Rules for Land Conditions and Bailments, continued
No new reading on this topic. We'll do some problems in class.
12. Actual Causation Basics
Read TC&C Chapter 7 §§A–E (pp.260-268).
Read the subsection at the end of TC&C Chapter 7 §F titled “Note on ‘Substantial Factor” (pp. 281-282).
TUESDAY September 30 No 16
13. Proving Actual Causation
Watch A Civil Action (film) (Multiple copies on DVD are on reserve in the library; the film may also be available via various streaming services.)
Read the following Anderson v. Cryovac documents:
14. Actual Causation Multiplicity Issues
Read TC&C Chapter 7 §G, but skip Sindell; pp. 282-298.
Prepare an answer to the “Nighttime Hit and Run” problem (TC&C p. 314).
WEDNESDAY October 1 No 17
14. Actual Causation Multiplicity Issues, continued
No new reading on this topic. We'll continue from last class.
15. Proximate Causation Basics
Read TC&C Chapter 8 §§A-D; pp. 315-321 (stop at "Case: Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad").
Week No 7
MONDAY October 6 No 18
14. Actual Causation Multiplicity Issues, continued
No new reading on this topic. We'll continue from last class and work more problems.
15. Proximate Causation Basics, continued
Quickly skim the reading from last class, which was: TC&C Chapter 8 §§A-D; pp. 315-321 (stop at "Case: Palsgraf v. Long Island Railroad").
Read TC&C Chapter 8 §§A-D; pp. 321-338 (Palsgraf v. Long Island RR and notes re same).
16. Various Tests for Proximate Causation
Read TC&C Chapter 8 §E; pp. 349-352.
TUESDAY October 7 No 19
16. Various Tests for Proximate Causation, continued
Read TC&C Chapter 8 §E; pp. 349-352 (Ryan v. New York Central RR and notes re same).
Special Topic: Essay Exam Technique
Read the following:
WEDNESDAY October 8
Class session canceled.
No class today.
No class today.
Week No 8
MONDAY October 13 No 20
16. Various Tests for Proximate Causation, continued
Read TC&C pp. 338-348.
TUESDAY October 14 No 21
17. Existence of an Injury
Read TC&C Chapter 9, but skip Herskovits and the questions addressing Herskovits. Thus: pp. 353-355, 364-369.
WEDNESDAY October 15 No 22
18. Plaintiff’s Negligence (Contributory and Comparative)
Read TC&C Chapter 10 §§A–B, but skip Coleman and questions addressing Coleman. Thus: pp. 370-373, 384-395.
Prepare answers to “Some Problems on Applying Comparative Negligence Statutes” (TC&C p. 394-395).
Week No 9
MONDAY October 20 No 23
19. Assumption of Risk, Waivers, and Releases
Read TC&C, the portion of Chapter 10 §C over pp. 395-397 (i.e., we're skipping the Murphy, Hulsey, and Hiett cases), and the portion starting on 416 about public-policy exceptions. Thus: pp. 395-397 & 416-418.
Read the Participant Agreement for the 2007 "Kid Nation" reality television show and the introductory notes, available together on this webpage.
For the text of the agreement, you might choose to print out and mark-up this image-based PDF copy of the original.
If you've never seen scenes from Kid Nation, you might look for some on YouTube.
TUESDAY October 21 No 24
20. Professional Negligence / Medical Malpractice and Medical Battery
Read TC&C Chapter 11 §A–C; pp. 420-433.
21. Informed Consent Actions
Read TC&C Chapter 11 §D skipping Largey and associated questions; pp. 433–436.
Read Edwards: Campbell v. Pitt County Memorial Hospital, pp. 51-113. (Note: Unless we are going very quickly, we may not get to discussing Campbell v. Pitt County, but having read it will be useful for our doctrinal discussion regardless.)
WEDNESDAY October 22 No 25
21. Informed Consent Actions, continued
No additional reading, we'll continue our discussion, including on Campbell v. Pitt County.
22. Strict Liability
Read TC&C Chapter 13 §A–F skipping Rylands and American Cyanamid, thus; pp. 29–47, 52.
Week No 10
MONDAY October 27 No 26
22. Strict Liability, continued
(We'll continue discussion of material assigned for last class.)
Read TC&C Chapter 13 §G–H; thus, pp. 68–80.
23. Products Liability
Read TC&C Chapter 14 §A through first portion of D (stop at and don't read Escola); thus, pp. 81–86.
TUESDAY October 28 No 27
23. Products Liability, continued
Read TC&C Chapter 14 §E-F; thus, pp. 95–122.
Prepare answers to the “Hot Water” problem in TC&C Chapter 14, which is on pp. 121–122.
WEDNESDAY October 29 No 28
23. Products Liability, continued
Read Edwards: Lakey v. Sta-Rite, on pp. 178-220, 222-230.
24. Intentional Torts Introduction
Read all of TC&C Chapter 15; pp. 124-132.
[ ↑ Originally this had the wrong chapter number. It's been corrected. ]
Week No 11
MONDAY November 3 No 29
23. Products Liability, continued
No new reading, but I will take your questions on Lakey v. Sta-Rite.
25. Battery and Assault
Read TC&C Chapter 16, but skip Bohrmann; thus, pp. 133-145, 149-154.
Prepare answers to the check-your-understanding questions on pp. 153-154.
TUESDAY November 4 No 30
26. False Imprisonment
Read TC&C Chapter 17, but skip all cases; thus, pp. 155-160.
27. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (Outrage)
Read TC&C Chapter 18, but skip Dzamko; thus, pp. 177-189, 194.
28. Trespass to Land
Read TC&C Chapter 19, but skip "Trespass by Airplane"; thus, pp. 195-201, 204-209.
WEDNESDAY November 5 No 31
28. Trespass to Land, continued
Prepare answers to the Champagne Whooshes problem on pp. 208-209.
29. Trespass to Chattels and Conversion
Read TC&C Chapter 20 §A, §B, and §D; thus, pp. 210-213, 227-250.
Week No 12
MONDAY November 10
Class session canceled.
No class today.
No class today.
TUESDAY November 11 No 32
29. Trespass to Chattels and Conversion, continued
(We'll continue discussion of material assigned for last class.)
30. Defenses to Intentional Torts
Read TC&C Chapter 21 §A, §B (but skip Food Lion and notes about it); thus: pp. 251-267; 274-279
WEDNESDAY November 12 No 33
30. Defenses to Intentional Torts, continued
Read TC&C Chapter 21 §C and §D; thus: pp. 279-300
Week No 13
MONDAY November 17 No 34
30. Defenses to Intentional Torts, continued
No new reading, but I will take any remaining questions, and I'll tie up any loose ends on Surocco v. Geary.
31. General Issues in Remedies
Read all of TC&C Chapter 22 (pp. 302-316) but skip Problem: Injunction on Ivan on page 314.
32. Damages
Read the portions of TC&C Chapter 23 over pp. 317-319 and pp. 333-337.
TUESDAY November 18 No 35
32. Damages, continued
Read the portion of TC&C Chapter 23 over pp. 337-345.
Prepare an answer to Problem: Amelia's Future Medical Care (TC&C p. 345).
Read the portions of TC&C Chapter 24 over pp. 346-347 and pp. 355-379.
WEDNESDAY November 19 No 36
33. Multiple Tortfeasors
Read the portions of TC&C Chapter 25 over pp. 398-410 and pp. 421-422
34. Enforcing Judgments
No reading.
35. Immunities and Tort Liability of the Government
No reading.
FRIDAY November 21, 4:30 p.m. Deadline for turning in optional practice essay exam
This is an opportunity to turn in a practice essay exam. THIS IS TOTALLY OPTIONAL. THIS HAS NO EFFECT ON GRADING.
You can do the essay response for the practice exam (as described immediately below) and turn it in on paper by 4:30 p.m. to Faculty Support on the third floor of the law school. Be on the look out for a sign or something providing a particular place for you to drop it off.
Doing the essay response and turning it in is entirely optional and will not count in any manner for your grade.
If you turn in a response, it must be printed one-sided on white, 8.5 by 11 inch paper, and there must be no staple, paper clip, envelope, or other fastener or holder.
Use this DOCX template for your response. If you can't use the template, see these PDF instructions.
If you do the practice exam, please limit yourself to one hour and 45 minutes, including the time you spend reading the facts and the questions. I will review the practice exam responses turned in and give some group feedback next week.
Before you do the practice exam, you are strongly encouraged to read:
The practice exam is questions 1, 2, and 3 of Panic at the Telescope.
NOTES RE QUESTIONS ONE AND TWO: First, note that these questions involve applying some material that is included in the reading for 11/17 - 11/19. Second, note that the question involve some material we haven't covered yet. In that regard, you can do either of the following: (1) Answer based on what we've covered to this point, in which case assume the GG estate has all the claims that GG would have and skip analyzing compensatory damages with regard to GG, or (2) just before you do the exam, read ahead a little bit, taking in the the expository text in on pp. 423-425, & 433-434.
NOTES RE IMPORTANCE OF INSTRUCTIONS ON THE QUESTIONS PAGE: Please make sure you read and obey all the instructions on the "QUESTIONS" page of the exam, including the instructions to omit discussion of certain things and the admonitions to limit your discussion to the questions posed and parties specified, as well as to not repeat the exact same analysis when discussing a different party or answering a
different question.
Week No 14
MONDAY November 24 No 37
PRACTICE ESSAY EXAM DISCUSSION AND REVIEW
Today in class we will discuss the practice essay exam, which is questions 1, 2, and 3 of Panic at the Telescope.
Before class: if you didn't turn in a practice essay response to "Panic at the Telescope," please review the essay booklet and try your hand at composing, or at the very least outlining, a response to questions 1-3, skipping the aspects delineated above.
This is purely for practice and does not factor into your grade at all. But you really should do this as practice, even though there is no need to turn in your response.
PRACTICE MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM DISCUSSION AND REVIEW
Today in class we will discuss the multiple choice portion of the practice exam: Midwest Mishaps.
Before class: Please read: Tip Sheet on Multiple-Choice Questions [.pdf]. Then please do the Midwest Mishaps multiple choice questions, limiting yourself to 60 minutes. Then take a look at the correct answers.
In class: I will go over any of these multiple-choice questions on request.
You really should do this as practice, even though there is nothing to turn in. And for the avoidance of any doubt: This is purely for practice and does not factor into your grade at all.
TUESDAY November 25 No 38
35. Immunities and Tort Liability of the Government, continued
No reading.
36. Thresholds of Life
Read TC&C Chapter 26, portion over pp. 423-435.
WEDNESDAY November 26
No class today.
If you are heading out – on the road or into the air – here's wishing you smooth, safe, and happy travels.
If you are heading out – on the road or into the air – here's wishing you smooth, safe, and happy travels.
Week No 15
MONDAY December 1 No 39
39. Defamation
Read TC&C Chapter 28 portion over pp. 509-522.
40. Privacy Torts
No reading.
TUESDAY ("WUESDAY") December 2 No 40
41. Right of Publicity
No reading.
42. Transactional Torts
No reading.
43. Theoretical Perspectives on Torts
No reading.
44. Tort Reform
No reading.
WEDNESDAY ("THENDSDAY") December 3
Today follows a Thursday schedule.
No Torts class.
No Torts class.
Topic by Topic:
PART I: Preliminaries
1. Welcome, Class Parameters
Read the syllabus.
2. The Place of Torts and a Model Tort
Read all of TC&C Chapter 1, "Basic Concepts."
3. Blackletter Overview
Read all of TC&C Chapter 2, "An Overview of Tort Law."
Read all of TC&C Chapter 3, "Introduction to Negligence."
Please read whatever portion of the mindmap we didn't cover in class. Don't worry about understanding it all. It's helpful to have looked at it for having a framework for the subject -- including what's ahead in our class and aspects of tort law we won't otherwise be addressing.
4. Procedural Context for Torts
Read all of TC&C Chapter 4 "An Example of a Negligence Case."
PART II: The Prima Facie Case for Negligence
SUBPART A: The Duty Element
5. When and to Whom a Duty of Care is Owed
Read all of TC&C Chapter 5.A (pp. 78-79).
Read all of TC&C Chapter 5.B, but skip Kubert (pp. 79-89).
Read all of TC&C Prepare an answer to Problem: WZX Cash Patrol (TC&C p.88).
Read TC&C Chapter 5.D, but skip Theobald v. Dolcimascola and Tarasoff v. UC Regents; do, however,
read the paragraph "The Tarasoff Exception" (pp. 108-109; 115-129).
SUBPART B: The Breach Element
6. Determining Breach, in General
Read TC&C Chapter 6.A (pp.143-156).
Read Edwards: Howard v. Collins & Aikman (pp. 131-158).
7. The Reasonable Person Standard of Care
Read TC&C Chapter 6 §B and §C, but skip Breunig. (I.e., read pp.157-164, 169-174.)
8. Negligence Per Se
Read TC&C Chapter 6 §D, but skip Martin v. Herzog. (∴ pp.174-181, 194-195).
Prepare an answer to Problem: Westbound Walker (TC&C p.195-196). (But don’t do the “SparkleStar Skate” problem.)
9. The Role of Custom or Standard Practices
Read TC&C Chapter 6 §E (pp.198-203).
10. Res Ipsa Loquitur
Read TC&C Chapter 6 §G (pp.217-229).
11. Special Rules for Land Conditions and Bailments
Read TC&C Chapter 6, portion of §H on pp. 229-234.
12. Actual Causation Basics
Read TC&C Chapter 7 §§A–E (pp.260-268).
Read the subsection at the end of TC&C Chapter 7 §F titled “Note on ‘Substantial Factor” (pp. 281-282).
13. Proving Actual Causation
Watch A Civil Action (film) (Multiple copies on DVD are on reserve in the library; the film may also be available via various streaming services.)
Read the following Anderson v. Cryovac documents:
14. Actual Causation Multiplicity Issues
Read TC&C Chapter 7 §G, but skip Sindell; pp. 282-298.
Prepare an answer to the “Nighttime Hit and Run” problem (TC&C p. 314).
15. Proximate Causation Basics
Read TC&C Chapter 8 §§A-D; pp. 315-338.
16. Various Tests for Proximate Causation
Read TC&C Chapter 8 §E; pp. 338-352.
SUBPART E: The Injury Element
17. Existence of an Injury
Read TC&C Chapter 9, but skip Herskovits and the questions addressing Herskovits. Thus: pp. 353-355, 364-369.
PART III: Affirmative Defenses to Negligence
18. Plaintiff’s Negligence (Contributory and Comparative)
Read TC&C Chapter 10 §§A–B, but skip Coleman and questions addressing Coleman. Thus: pp. 370-373, 384-395.
Prepare answers to “Some Problems on Applying Comparative Negligence Statutes” (TC&C p. 394-395).
19. Assumption of Risk, Waivers, and Releases
Read TC&C, the portion of Chapter 10 §C over pp. 395-397 (i.e., we're skipping the Murphy, Hulsey, and Hiett cases), and the portion starting on 416 about public-policy exceptions. Thus: pp. 395-397 & 416-418.
Read the Participant Agreement for the 2007 "Kid Nation" reality television show and the introductory notes, available together on this webpage.
For the text of the agreement, you might choose to print out and mark-up this image-based PDF copy of the original.
If you've never seen scenes from Kid Nation, you might look for some on YouTube.
PART IV: Liability Relating to Medical Care
20. Professional Negligence / Medical Malpractice and Medical Battery
Read TC&C Chapter 11 §A–C; pp. 420-433.
21. Informed Consent Actions
Read TC&C Chapter 11 §D skipping Largey and associated questions; pp. 433–436.
Read Edwards: Campbell v. Pitt County Memorial Hospital, pp. 51-113.
PART V: Dealing with Accidents Outside of Negligence
22. Strict Liability
Read TC&C Chapter 13 §A–F skipping Rylands and American Cyanamid, thus; pp. 29–47, 52.
Read TC&C Chapter 13 §G–H; thus, pp. 68–80.
23. Products Liability
Read TC&C Chapter 14 §A through first portion of D (stop at and don't read Escola); thus, pp. 81–86.
Read TC&C Chapter 14 §E-F; thus, pp. 95–122.
Prepare answers to the “Hot Water” problem in TC&C Chapter 14, which is on pp. 121–122.
Read Edwards: Lakey v. Sta-Rite, on pp. 178-220, 222-230.
PART VI: Intentional Torts
24. Intentional Torts Introduction
Read all of TC&C Chapter 15; thus, pp. 124-132.
25. Battery and Assault
Read TC&C Chapter 16, but skip Bohrmann; thus, pp. 133-145, 149-154.
Prepare answers to the check-your-understanding questions on pp. 153-154.
26. False Imprisonment
Read TC&C Chapter 17, but skip all cases; thus, pp. 155-160.
27. Intentional Infliction of Emotional Distress (Outrage)
Read TC&C Chapter 18, but skip Dzamko; thus, pp. 177-189, 194.
28. Trespass to Land
Read TC&C Chapter 19, but skip "Trespass by Airplane";thus, pp. 195-201, 204-209.
Prepare answers to the Champagne Whooshes problem on pp. 208-209.
29. Trespass to Chattels and Conversion
Read TC&C Chapter 20 §A, §B, and §D; thus, pp. 210-213, 227-250.
30. Defenses to Intentional Torts
Read TC&C Chapter 21 §A, §B (but skip Food Lion and notes about it), §C, and §D; thus: pp. 251-267; 274-267, 274-300
PART VII: Remedies and Issues Concerning Parties
31. General Issues in Remedies
Read all of TC&C Chapter 22 (pp. 302-316) but skip Problem: Injunction on Ivan on page 314.
32. Damages
Read the portions of TC&C Chapter 23 over pp. 317-319 and pp. 333-345.
Prepare an answer to Problem: Amelia's Future Medical Care (TC&C p. 345).
Read the portions of TC&C Chapter 24 over pp. 346-347 and pp. 355-379.
33. Multiple Tortfeasors
Read the portions of TC&C Chapter 25 over pp. 398-410 and pp. 421-422
34. Enforcing Judgments
No reading.
35. Immunities and Tort Liability of the Government
No reading.
36. Thresholds of Life
Read TC&C Chapter 26, portion over pp. 423-435.
PART VIII: Some Practical Pitfalls
37. Insurance
No reading.
38. Statutes of Limitation and Repose
No reading.
PART IX: Oblique Torts
39. Defamation
Read TC&C Chapter 28 portion over pp. 509-522.
40. Privacy Torts
No reading.
41. Right of Publicity
No reading.
42. Transactional Torts
No reading.
PART X: Theory and Policy
43. Theoretical Perspectives on Torts
No reading.
44. Tort Reform
No reading.
APPENDIX 1: Other reading assigned
Discussion about exam techniques
APPENDIX 2: Practice exam assignments
PRACTICE EXAM, Essay Portion (OPTIONAL)
The practice exam is questions 1, 2, and 3 of Panic at the Telescope.
You should do this as practice. At the every least, read over the exam. There is no need to turn in your response. This is purely for practice and does not factor into your grade at all.
For details, see assignments for November 21 and November 24, above.
PRACTICE EXAM, Multiple-Choice Portion
Please read: Tip Sheet on Multiple-Choice Questions [.pdf]. Then please do the Midwest Mishaps multiple choice questions, limiting yourself to 60 minutes. Then take a look at the correct answers.
You should do this as practice. There is nothing to turn in, even optionally. This is purely for practice and does not factor into your grade at all.