Dealing with Disasters: Perspectives on Tort and Regulation

We live in a time when disasters, tragically, have taken on new meaning. Natural disasters arise with great frequency and growing intensity. And responsible party disasters dominate the headlines, generating fear and a sense of disbelief. Both prospective preventive measures, and retrospective restorative efforts on behalf of victims, raise enormously difficult questions of how best to address these momentous events. This seminar will examine preventive measures and remedial relief for natural disasters, such as wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. Similarly, we will focus on preventive and remedial relief in responsible party disasters, such as acts of terrorism, oil spills, and release of toxic substances. Students may elect to write a research paper R-credit with consent of the instructor. After the term begins, students accepted into the course can transfer from section 01 into section 02, which meets the R requirement, with consent of the instructor. Elements used in grading: Attendance, class participation, written assignments, or final research paper.