IntroductionIn this class we will be learning the basics of the United States' legal system and how to compose legal documents and arguments. Our primary text is
Writing in Law, an excerpt from
Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum, Ninth Edition (Longman, 2005), by Lawrence Behrens and Leonard Rosen.
We will be meeting 5th period in Rolfs 114 each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each student is allowed three unexcused absences, after that points will be deducted from the final grade.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated; each student is held to the University's Student Honor Code.
Be forewarned, I expect that each of you follow the rules of English grammar and a consistent system of citations.
GradingOut of a 1000 available points, this is the breakdown for your work and participation:
- 100 points for the First Legal Brief (Exercise)
- 200 points for the Second Legal Brief (Negligence Case)
- 300 points for a Memorandum
- 100 points for the Third Legal Brief (Tournament Round 1)
- 100 points for completion of law school application materials
- 150 points for Debates: 25 points for first in-class debate, 25 points for tournament preparation (including flow chart, presentation, and brief), and 100 points for the tournament
- 50 points for class participation including in-class work, class commentary, and homework
HolidaysWe will not have class on September 7th, October 16th, November 11th, and November 27th. It is acceptable to turn in any required coursework on November 25th by email if you wish to make a headstart for Thanksgiving travel.
