University 401A - Section 001
Monday 5:00-7:30pm
SPRING 2007 SYLLABUS

Office Hours: By appointment only

Required Text:
One L, Scott Turow, Warner Books (1977, 1988)
Law School Confidential, Robert H. Miller, St. Martins Griffin (2004)

Course Description – University 401 – University Capstone Class for  Pre-Law
The course is designed:

• To help prepare you for Law School
• To develop a better understanding of the Law School Experience and Admissions process
• To acquire essential academic survival skills for Law School

General Course Objectives:

• Develop your awareness and understanding of your undergraduate educational experience
• Introduce you to the various resources available to you on campus and in the community
• Encourage your academic development and the development of your career goals
• Strengthen your written and oral communication skills

Specific Course Objectives:

• Develop & improve critical thinking skills
• Improve presentation skills
• Develop a basic understanding of legal terminology and citation
• Develop a better understanding of different legal career options
• Develop a clear plan for your law school or alternatives

Grading Policy:

COURSE RULES

Tardiness: Class begins at 5:00pm.  You are expected to be on time. Tardiness may be penalized on your final grade and/or counted as an absence. Excessive tardiness may result in a failing grade for the class.

Late assignments: You are expected to turn in all assignments on time.  Any penalties for late assignments are at the discretion of the instructors, and may include an automatic failing grade for that assignment.

Academic Integrity: You are expected to practice the highest possible standards of academic integrity.  Any deviation from this expectation will result in a minimum of your failing the assignment, and may result in additional, more severe disciplinary measures.  This includes improper citation of sources, using another student’s work, and any other form of academic misrepresentation.

Remember that the first tenet of the Carolinian Creed is, “I will practice personal and academic integrity.”

General Rules:

• No eating in class (drinking soda, water, etc. is permitted)
• This class will engage in some open discussion – all students are to address one another, the panelists, and the instructors with respect and courtesy, this includes speaking when recognized by the person with the floor or the instructors.
• Any disrespectful or disruptive behavior may result in your being asked to leave the class, and may result in your dismissal with a “WF” (Withdraw Failing), and/or a referral to the Office of Student Judicial Programs
• All cell phones, pagers, etc. are to be OFF or SILENCED (not on “vibrate”) during class.  All cell phones are to be put away – in a purse, backpack, book bag, etc. during class.  If a cell phone rings during class time, you may be asked to leave the class and/or counted absent.  There is NO text messaging, web-browsing, etc. during class. Failure to adhere to this rule may result in your being dismissed from class and/or an academic penalty.
• The instructors reserve the right to amend these rules as necessary throughout the term.

Course Requirements:

1. Attendance: Attendance is expected at all class meetings.  The penalty for missing class for any reason is as follows:
   1st absence = no penalty
   2nd absence = 2-3 page paper on the topic for the day missed AND 2 points off your FINAL grade
   OR 1 letter grade dropped on your FINAL grade
   3rd absence = Failing grade in the class
   
   
2. Class participation: Class participation is worth 20% of your final grade.  Please note that attendance does not constitute participation (but is obviously a requirement).  Participation includes intelligent statements, sincere questions, and, perhaps above all, being prepared.  You should have (intelligent and relevant) questions prepared for our guest speakers – this will weigh into your grade as well. You may be called on to discuss any assigned readings during the term – clearly, a lack of preparation will be noted as a lack of participation.  Additionally, you are expected to complete the Class Engagement Rubric (available on Blackboard) and turn it in to us on the last class day.
   
   
3. Turning in Assignments:
   Assignments are due at the beginning of class on indicated dates.  Any academic penalty for late work is at the discretion of the instructors.
   
   
4. Personal Statement:
   It must be at least two pages (at least 5 well written paragraphs) with the following format:
   • Typed
   • Double spaced
   • 12 point Times New Roman font
   • 1 inch margins on each side
   • Header with: Last name, First initial in the top right corner

   You will write a personal statement that you would submit (or may have already prepared to submit) to a law school with your application.  You will meet with Professor Lewis and/or Eifert to go over your statement.  You MUST meet with at least one of us one time to fulfill this requirement. Your final statement will be due on April 9, 2007.  You should attach all previous drafts to the back of the final statement.

   In addition to this requirement, you must meet with Ms. Eileen Korpita or one of her staff at the Pre-professional advising office prior to March 9, 2007.  They should send us an e-confirmation of your meeting(s).  The purpose of this meeting is to make you aware of the services they offer and to go over your application plan and/or your personal statement.
   

5. Reaction Postings (To Guest Speakers and Law School Class)

   During the course of the semester, you will be asked to write a posting to Blackboard reacting to what was discussed in class.  These are due before the next class period. One additional reaction posting is written based on your reaction to attending a law school class.  You are responsible for contacting Beth Davis at the USC School of Law Admissions office (DAVISEJ2@gwm.sc.edu or 777-6917) to set up a time to attend.  These postings allow us to improve the class, derive what you learned, and help the speakers in the future.  They should address the following questions (and may be in Q&A format, 1-2 lines per answer) for EACH speaker:

   SPEAKER POSTINGS (be sure to include the speaker(s)’s name(s)):
   1) What did you enjoy most about the presentation?
   2) What did you enjoy least about the presentation?
   3) What did you learn from the presentation (you should have learned something)?
   4) What was not covered that you wish would have been?
   5) Would you recommend using this speaker again? If no, explain and/or offer an alternative.

   LAW SCHOOL CLASS:
   1) What class did you attend (course name, and day and time attended)?
   2) What was your expectation of the class before  you attended?
   3) Did the class meet those expectations? Explain how it did and/or did not. (1 paragraph minimum)

   4) How did attending this class impact your view of law school?
   
   
6. Mock Trial
   
   The class will engage in a Mock Trial for the final exam. The time requirements and group assignments will be determined by the instructors, and distributed in class.
   
   A. Mock Trial You will be divided into teams of attorneys and witnesses, and given a case to analyze and prepare.  You will be given reading materials for objections and rules of evidence.  You will not prepare a brief for the case, but instead will be graded on your exhibits, submissions, and your quality as an attorney/witness.  Each group will present a “side” of the case, using their group members as witnesses.  You may have to get friends to play the roles as well.

LSC = Law School Confidential