A Student-Centered and Pedagogically Innovative Casebook

This carefully crafted casebook is designed to enhance the study of tort law, particularly in the first year of law school, by providing a structured and inclusive approach to learning. Authored by award-winning law teachers whose teaching methodologies have been studied and featured in the Harvard University Press book What the Best Law Teachers Do, this casebook reflects a deep commitment to effective and equitable legal education.

As first-generation lawyers, experienced educators, and scholars of color, the authors have dedicated their careers to exploring and refining teaching strategies that maximize learning for all students, regardless of background or prior exposure to legal studies. This commitment is embedded in the structure and content of the book, ensuring that it serves both students and instructors in the most effective way possible.

Torts A Contemporary Approach Fourth Edition Duncan - ISBN 978-1-6365-9113-1

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Major Innovations in the Fourth Edition

The Fourth Edition introduces two major structural changes that significantly enhance learning efficiency and reduce barriers to success in legal education:

1. Adoption of the Directed Reading Approach

• This edition implements the Directed Reading approach, an evidence-based teaching method designed to increase efficiency in legal learning and mitigate the effects of privilege in the law school environment.
• Before each principal case, students will find pre-reading questions meant to guide their reading and comprehension before class.
• This method is based on the research of Kris Franklin and Rory Bahadur, as outlined in their article Directed Questions: A Non-Socratic Dialogue about Non-Socratic Teaching, 99 U. DET. MERCY L. REV. 1 (2021).
• These pre-class questions help students engage actively with the material, ensuring they come to class with a strong foundational understanding of each case.

2. Streamlined Case Selection for Greater Efficiency

• The Fourth Edition reduces redundancy by eliminating repetitive or reinforcing cases when a single case is sufficient to illustrate a legal principle.
• By focusing on high-impact cases, students can grasp core concepts without unnecessary repetition, making their study time more efficient and meaningful.

Duncan Torts A Contemporary Approach 4th Edition - 978-1636591131

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Comprehensive Coverage of Tort Law

The text provides a clear and engaging overview of tort law, carefully structuring the material to build upon foundational principles while incorporating modern developments in the field. The book covers:

• An Overview of Tort Law – Distinguishing torts from contracts, criminal law, and other legal disciplines.
• Intentional Torts – Including battery, assault, false imprisonment, trespass, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
• Negligence – Covering duty, breach, causation, and damages, with classic and contemporary case examples.
• Strict Liability – Exploring liability without fault, including nuisance and ultrahazardous activities.
• Advanced Topics – Such as products liability, defamation, privacy, and alternative approaches to tort law.
• Tort Law in Modern Contexts – Addressing cutting-edge issues relevant to today’s legal landscape.

This casebook balances classic cases that provide a strong historical foundation with contemporary cases that resonate with modern students, making the subject matter more engaging and relevant.

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Designed for Student Engagement and Active Learning

This book is not just a collection of cases—it is designed to be an interactive and thought-provoking learning tool, incorporating:

• Discussion Questions and Hypotheticals – Integrated throughout the text to stimulate class discussion and test students’ comprehension.
• Visual Aids and Graphics – Illustrating key legal principles to enhance understanding and retention.
• Online Resources – Providing Internet links for students to explore supplementary materials beyond the text.

Torts A Contemporary Approach 4th Edition Duncan - 9781636591131

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Instructor Resources and Teaching Support

For faculty adopting this casebook, a comprehensive Teacher’s Manual is available, offering:

• Detailed teaching notes
• Ready-to-use PowerPoint slides for classroom instruction
• Additional discussion prompts and teaching strategies
• New problems and hypotheticals for testing student comprehension
• Guidance for both new and experienced law professors on how to maximize student engagement and effectively structure classes

Whether a new instructor looking for a strong foundational framework or a seasoned professor aiming to enhance classroom dynamics, these teaching resources ensure a seamless and effective learning experience.

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Why Choose This Casebook?

• Student-Centered Design – Incorporates pedagogically sound strategies that promote active and equitable learning.
• Efficient Learning Approach – Directed Reading method improves comprehension while minimizing barriers to success.
• Carefully Curated Cases – Eliminates redundancy and focuses on essential legal principles.
• Comprehensive and Engaging – Covers all major aspects of tort law, from classic foundations to modern developments.
• Innovative Teaching Tools – Includes discussion questions, hypotheticals, and visual aids to enhance learning.
• Instructor-Friendly – Comes with robust teaching resources to support faculty in delivering engaging and effective instruction.

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This Fourth Edition remains a groundbreaking resource in tort law education, combining doctrinal depth, pedagogical innovation, and an inclusive approach to legal instruction. With its careful balance of theory, practice, and engagement, this casebook provides students and instructors alike with the tools they need for success in the study of tort law.

Torts A Contemporary Approach Fourth Edition - ISBN 9781636591131

Examples & Explanations for The Law of Torts - 6th Edition - Joseph Glannon