LGST 312 at the University of Maryland Global Campus studies the causes of action, defenses and remedies in the major categories of tort law, together with tort-litigation procedures and writings. UMGC lists LGST 201 as the prerequisite.
The stated goal is to investigate and evaluate tort claims in order to develop litigation strategies, and to research law and draft legal writings that support a legal conclusion. Students find it hard because every tort has elements, defenses and exceptions that must be applied precisely to the facts.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Course code | LGST 312 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Prerequisite | LGST 201 |
| Credit note | Credit may be received for only one of LGST 312 or PLGL 312 |
| Typical work | Fact-pattern analyses, research and memos on tort claims (check your syllabus) |
What LGST 312 Covers
| Topic (UMGC) | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| Intentional torts | Harm caused by deliberate acts, such as battery or false imprisonment |
| Negligence | Carelessness that causes harm: duty, breach, causation and damage |
| Strict liability | Liability without fault, for activities the law treats as inherently risky |
| Damages | What compensation is available and how it is measured |
| Civil procedure | How a tort claim is brought and defended in court |
Key Concepts Explained
The Elements of Negligence
A negligence claim generally requires a duty of care, a breach of that duty, causation and damage. Causation is often split into cause in fact and proximate (legal) cause. Take each element in turn; missing one defeats the claim.
Illustration (invented facts): A driver reading a message crosses a red light and hits a cyclist. Duty: road users owe others reasonable care. Breach: ignoring the signal while distracted. Causation: the collision would not have happened but for the breach. Damage: the cyclist's injuries and costs.
Defenses
Defenses can reduce or defeat a claim: consent, self-defense, and comparative or contributory fault in negligence, among others. Which rule applies to fault allocation differs by state, so cite the law of the jurisdiction your problem names.
Damages
Compensatory damages aim to put the claimant in the position they would have been in. They may include economic loss and non-economic loss such as pain and suffering. Punitive damages are exceptional and need a higher standard of conduct.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Assignment type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Fact-pattern analysis | Applying elements and defenses | List possible torts, test each element and consider defenses |
| Legal memo on a claim | Research and reasoning | State the rule from authority, apply it and reach a conclusion |
| Case evaluation | Assessing strengths and risks | Identify strong and weak elements, damages and likely arguments |
| Procedure exercise | Knowing how claims proceed | Set out the stages and the document used at each |
An Element Chart for Common Torts
A chart makes the pattern visible and gives you a checklist for fact-pattern questions. Confirm the exact elements with your course materials, since wording varies by jurisdiction.
| Claim | What must generally be shown | Typical defense themes |
|---|---|---|
| Battery | Intentional harmful or offensive contact | Consent, self-defense |
| Negligence | Duty, breach, causation, damage | Comparative or contributory fault, assumption of risk |
| Strict liability | An activity or product the law treats as strictly liable, and resulting harm | Arguing the rule does not apply to the facts |
For each claim, finish the analysis with damages. State the type of loss, such as medical costs or lost earnings, and whether the facts provide enough to estimate it. Remember that the course also covers tort-litigation procedures, so note where in a case the claim would be raised.
Worked Example: A Short Negligence Analysis
Invented facts: A shop owner mops the floor and leaves no warning sign. A customer slips and breaks a wrist.
Duty: a business owes customers reasonable care. Breach: leaving a wet floor unmarked is likely to fall below that standard. Causation: the fall would not have happened without the wet floor, and the injury was a foreseeable result. Damage: medical costs and lost earnings.
Defenses to consider: was the customer careless, for example by running, and how does your jurisdiction treat shared fault?
Notice that each element is stated in a sentence of its own. The same layout works for any negligence question, and it makes it easy for a grader to see that nothing was skipped.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Skipping elements. Address every element even when one is obviously satisfied; say so briefly.
- Confusing intent with motive. Intent in tort law is about the act and its consequences, not bad motive.
- Jurisdiction differences. Fault rules vary; use the one given or state your assumption.
- Forgetting remedies. A conclusion on liability is incomplete without addressing damages.
Study Tips for LGST 312
- Make a one-page table of each tort, its elements and its main defenses.
- Practice a short IRAC for each category of tort.
- Always ask what a plaintiff must prove, and what the defendant can argue back.
- Use real cases from your jurisdiction as models of how courts reason.
How We Help with LGST 312
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Frequently Asked Questions
UMGC lists LGST 201.
UMGC names intentional torts, negligence and strict liability, plus damages and civil procedure.
Yes. The stated goal includes researching law and drafting legal writings that support a legal conclusion.
UMGC says credit may be received for only one of LGST 312 or PLGL 312.
Identify possible claims, set out the elements of each, apply the facts, address defenses and finish with remedies.
Yes. Send the facts and your draft; we review each element and explain any gaps.