INTRODUCTION TO LEGAL STUDIES



LEGAL ANALYSIS & PROBLEM SOLVING (LAPS)FALL 2018 – Evening DivisionCourse SyllabusLAW-827-003Room 324Professor Barbara McFarlandRoom 306mcfarlandb1@nku.edu859.572.7637Desired Learning Outcomes and Methods of AssessmentThis course is designed to help you become an effective and successful law student. By the end of these two weeks you will be able to (1) carefully read and analyze texts, cases, and statutes; (2) brief a case in preparation for class; (3) synthesize rules and apply those rules to various sets of facts; (4) organize materials so you can effectively prepare for class and examinations; (5) recognize and understand a well-written law school examination answer; and, (6) write a complete analysis of a legal issue. Outcomes (1) and (2) will be assessed by a quiz, case briefs submitted to the professor, and class discussion. Outcome (3) will be assessed by a group exercise and written project submitted to the professor. Outcomes (4), (5), and (6) will be assessed by a written final examination requiring analysis of a multi-element tort.To pass the LAPS graduation requirement, you must prepare thoroughly, attend as required, complete all assignments, participate in a thoughtful manner, and act as a professional at all times. Because you are entering a profession in which your clients must depend on your competence and professionalism for the success of a business plan, redress for a wrong, disposition of their estate, or even their liberty or life, the College of Law’s expectations and standards are very high.Required Text (also for Legal Studies I and II)Herbert N. Ramy, Succeeding in Law School (Carolina Academic Press, 2d ed. 2010).Class AttendanceAttend every class, because each will help you prepare for the next. Attendance is required for the entire class each evening. In keeping with faculty policy and American Bar Association requirements, you will initial an attendance sheet each session. Any unexcused absence will have to be made up before a passing grade can be awarded.You should attend the LAPS course in the division in which you are enrolled. If you need to take this class with the day division, contact Assistant Dean of Students, Heather Crabbe (859-572-5884), before classes begin. Class Preparation, Materials, and ExpectationsYou will have homework and assignments to complete, as shown on the schedule of classes. Read and fully prepare all assigned materials, brief all cases to the best of your ability, participate in class and small group discussions, and make a good faith effort to answer questions asked of you. I do not expect you to have all the correct answers, but I do expect you to work hard and to put forth maximum effort at all times. Some course materials will be contained in the course pack all student must purchase before the first class meeting. Others will be posted to the course TWEN site, which you can access as soon as you receive your Westlaw password during LAPS. The password for the TWEN site is my last name. You may find it useful to have your laptop with you each evening, but not for general note-taking purposes. Please have something to write on and with at every class.Law school is a professional school taught at the graduate level. Please be on time for each class and seated before the scheduled start time for each session. If you must enter late or leave during class, please minimize interruption of the class. Silence cellular telephones, pagers, watches, and other electronic devices so that they will not distract others. Please use all such devices and laptops only to achieve course objectives.Students with DisabilitiesThe University is committed to making reasonable efforts to assist individuals with disabilities in their efforts to avail themselves of services and programs offered by the University. To this end, Northern Kentucky University will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with qualifying disabilities. If you have a disability and feel you need accommodations in this course, you must contact the Office of Disability Programs and Services. Once you are registered with the Office of Disability Programs and Services, that office will contact Chase’s Assistant Dean of Students, Heather Crabbe, and she will notify the appropriate individuals at Chase, including me. Students should make every effort to have accommodation approval sent to the College of Law by at least two weeks before the beginning of the exam period.The Office of Disability Programs and Services here at NKU is located in the Student Union, Suite 303. See . The phone number is 859-572-5401 and email is disability@nku.edu. If you believe that you are entitled to accommodations for any reason, contact Disability Services immediately. You will have a midterm in every doctrinal class this semester, and you want your accommodations in place in advance.Student Evaluation of FacultyThe Chase College of Law takes course evaluations very seriously as an important means of gathering information for the enhancement of learning opportunities for its students. It is an important responsibility of Chase students as citizens of the College to participate in the instructor and course evaluation process. Students who complete an evaluation for a particular course, or opt out of doing so within the evaluation instrument, will be rewarded for their participation by having access to their course grade as soon as that grade is submitted by the instructor. Any student who does not complete the course evaluation, or timely opt out of doing so, should expect to incur a delay in access to the course grade. Students who experience extenuating circumstances in evaluating faculty or opting out may file a “Petition to Release Grade Access Restriction,” found on the webpage of the Chase Registrar, with the Associate Dean for Academics. Daily Class ScheduleClass meets from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday; we will take a break each evening around 8:00. On our first night of class, Tuesday the 7th, you should try to arrive by 5:45 to check in, hear a welcome message from Dean Whiteman, and share pizza with your fellow evening division entering students. On Thursday of the second week, the 16th, please plan to arrive at 5:30, if possible, to meet with Chase alumni and to explore the materials provided by the three major commercial bar providers, Barbri, Kaplan, and Themis. Representatives from all three will be available to answer your questions and to hand out free materials helpful to 1L study. _________________________________________________________________________________Assignment for Class One (5:45 arrival for Dean’s Welcome and Dinner)Read and study chapters I-XI of Whose Monet?, your summer reading. I recommend that you read the entire book, although you may not fully comprehend the later chapters this early in your law school career.Read Chapter I and pages 41-44 of Succeeding in Law School. Do not do the exercises in assigned chapters of this text unless you are specifically directed to do so.Class One (August 7)TopicsWelcomes, Introductions, and Group ExercisesThe Nature of Rules and Sources and Uses of LawsIntroduction to Critical Case Reading__________________________________________________________________________________Assignment for Class TwoWatch “Introduction to a Case” at 18 U.S.C. § 668 and Pritchard caseAnalyze § 668 and Take Notes on PritchardClass Two (August 9)TopicsStatutory Interpretation Critical Case Reading SimulationIntroduction to What Lawyers Do__________________________________________________________________________________Assignment for Class Three Critically Read Craft, Seitz, and Kroger Cases and Restatement § 46Read Chapter III of Succeeding in Law SchoolWatch “Briefing a Case” at CraftClass Three (August 14)TopicsIntroduction to Common Law Briefing Cases__________________________________________________________________________________Assignment for Class Four Brief Seitz and Kroger CasesRead and brief Osborne Read Chapters VII and XII in Succeeding in Law SchoolWatch “Marking Up an Essay Question” at Four (August 16) (5:30 arrival for Bar Provider Meal & Introductions)TopicsProfessionalism SpeakerDiscussion of Case Briefs and Restatement SectionRule SynthesisIntroduction to the Law School Essay Exam__________________________________________________________________________________Diagnostic Essay AssessmentYour final exam for this course will be available on TWEN from the end of Class Four until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, August 19th. Spend no more than 90 minutes responding to the essay question. You may use only the cases read for this course, your notes and completed exercises, and any other handouts from this course that you think are helpful on this task. You may not seek assistance from any other source or person. Submit your essay answer through the TWEN dropbox no later than 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 19th. If you cannot submit through TWEN for any reason, email me your answer as a Word attachment. I expect a good faith effort on this essay and will use it to guide curricular decisions in Legal Studies I during the coming semester. __________________________________________________________________________________A Final ThoughtYou are embarking on an exciting and challenging program of study and professional career. Stop thinking of yourself as a student and start thinking of yourself as a lawyer in training, which is what you are. Every day, every class, give your best effort and you will succeed. Good luck! ................
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