Class FAQs

Where do I find stuff?

The homepage for this class will be on Canvas (you'll have to log in). You should be able to find everything there.

How much time will this course require?

For every credit hour awarded, ABA accreditation requirements (Standard 310) require at least 1 hour of direct instruction and at least 2 hours of independent (of the professor) work by students over 15 weeks, for a total of at least 45 hours of work in a semester per credit hour. For a 3-credit class taught in 14 weeks with a 3-hour final exam in another week, this translates to at least 9 total hours of work per week for this class over the semester.  The reading and out-of-class activities are designed to take about 5 hours per week, and you should devote another hour, two or three to organizing the information, making connections from class to class, and practicing analysis on your own. That will still leave a number of hours towards the end of the semester for concentrated finals preparation.

What should I do for each scheduled class?

You should be prepared to answer questions from the reading. I mostly accept volunteers, particularly in evening classes but also use a random list sequencer to create a list that I use to call on people, and I try to call on a large number to keep everyone engaged. Don’t panic if you sometimes have to pass or struggle. I work hard to make participation a positive experience for all of us. 

To help you answer questions and learn from class discussion, you should brief the cases listed for that day’s assignment (they will be bigger excerpts and not just mentioned briefly in the notes). Case briefs should note:

• the basic facts of the case,

• the legal issue at hand,

• the holding,

• any tests the court adopts or uses,

• the reasoning the court uses to adopt that test or reach its holding,

• and how the court applies the applicable test to the facts of the case. 

The facts should just be short concise summaries. If the case includes dissenting opinions, note the substance of those opinions.

What if I don't understand something?

• You are always welcome to raise questions during class.

• Go to Canvas to see if there is a podcast or video that might help, slides or other helpful documents, a post in the discussion, or instructions on the home page or modules pages.

• Post them on the discussion page. Everyone can see the question and answer--everybody wins!

• Email me: marcia.mccormick@slu.edu. I try to respond to emails within 24-hours, although on weekends, it might be 48. I post the question and answer on the Canvas discussion page. Again, everybody wins!

• Ask during office hours. 

or have a personal question?

• Email me: marcia.mccormick@slu.edu or text me at 314-707-4768. I try to respond within 24-hours, although on weekends, it might be 48.

• Ask during office hours. 

• Set up an appointment.

The Grade

Your final grade will be based on two things: participation/completion of assignments throughout the semester, worth 10%, and a 3-hour final exam, worth 90%. The course is subject to the curve, and the grading policy can be found in the student handbook. The final exam will be open book, open note, closed internet. 

Academic Integrity

You are bound by the SLU LAW Honor Code in Chapter 14 of the student handbook. 

Can I use generative AI tools?

Using generative AI, such as ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Gemini, Claude, or Lexis & Westlaw's proprietary tools, are not categorically prohibited.

Using a generative AI tool may assist your learning by helping you brainstorm, suggesting relevant facts, assisting you with forming arguments, providing grammar checks or feedback for structure, or creating sample questions based on rules you provide. However, becoming dependent on generative AI could undermine your learning by eroding your ability to spot issues, explain your reasoning, or critically problem solve. The use of generative AI can strip a writer of their voice, diminishing a creative work. Most importantly, generative AI still produces inaccurate information and hallucinations are still common which if left unchecked can harm your understanding of the law which will cause you to underperform on the final exam (or engage in malpractice in practice). Any work generated with AI should be checked to ensure accuracy. You are responsible for the content of your work.

If you have a question regarding whether you are allowed to use generative AI for an assignment or whether you are using it appropriately, please discuss your concerns with me at your earliest opportunity.

If you choose to use a generative AI tool to assist with an assignment that you turn in for credit, you need to document its use in a statement at the beginning of the assignment. Your original work and your AI assisted work should be clearly evident. In addition, use of generative AI should conform to academic integrity policies for the law school.

Attendance

If you are feeling ill or have tested positive for COVID or other communicable illness, you should not come to class. Other than that, you should come to class, be on time, participate, and ask questions that you have. Doing so is worth 10% of your grade, but more importantly, it’s what helps you learn. I will take attendance by displaying a QR code that you can use with your mobile device to access a form. It’s your responsibility to ensure that you have filled out that form. 

At the same time, everybody has the occasional conflict and must miss class or be late. Any time you do (and I don’t need to know why), let me know if you have any questions about the material you missed. You are responsible for material missed. If you are absent for more than a few class periods, or you know you'll have an extended absence, you should let Dean Baris know so that he can help you with all of your classes.

Class will be recorded, and the recordings posted.  They will be accessible through Canvas and Panopto. Pursuant to SLU policy, students should not record the class on their own or distribute any recordings to those outside of the class.  Violation of this policy may subject a student to disciplinary action under the School of Law's Student Handbook and the University's Student Handbook.

Accessibility

SLU LAW is committed to diversity and inclusion through accessible programs, services, and campus environment. If you have questions about or are seeking to request a disability accommodation in this or any other class, please contact please contact Zach Wood, Assistant Director of Accessibility & Wellness (zach.wood@slu.edu). Confidentiality will be observed in all inquiries.

More on equal educational opportunity

SLU LAW and its faculty are committed to supporting our students and seeking an environment that is free of bias, discrimination, and harassment. If you have encountered any form of discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, domestic or dating violence, we encourage you to report this to the University. Title IX also provides protections to those that are pregnant or have a pregnancy related condition. If you speak with a faculty member about a Title IX matter, that faculty member must notify either SLU LAW's Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Jon Baris, Dean of Students (jon.baris@slu.edu), or SLU’s Title IX coordinator, Anna Kratky (DuBourg Hall, Room 36; anna.kratky@slu.edu; 314-977-3886) and share the basic information of your experience. The Title IX Coordinator will then be available to assist you in understanding all of your options and in connecting you with all possible resources on and off campus. If you wish to speak with a confidential source, you may contact the counselors at the University Counseling Center at 314-977-TALK. To view SLU’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and for resources, please visit  https://www.slu.edu/about/safety/sexual-assault-resources/index.php. For more information about pregnancy and related conditions, please visit https://www.slu.edu/student-development/dean-of-students/pregnant-parenting.php or see this student handout:  Title IX Pregnancy Handout.

Basic Needs Security

Any student who faces challenges securing their food or housing and believes this may affect their performance in the course is urged to contact the Dean of Students for support. Furthermore, please notify the professor if you are comfortable in doing so. This will enable her to provide any resources that she may possess.

Additional Resources

All students experience stressors and challenges at some point, and seeking support is beneficial. Such challenges may be the result of academic concerns (such as those related to particular assignments or content in a course), or they may be more personal in nature (such as concerns related to relationships, mental health, loss, identities, alcohol or drugs, housing or food security, or finances, among other things). If you experience these or other difficulties, please consider seeking support from the resources available to you.

• For concerns related to this course, please contact me. I am invested in your success and will support your success in the ways I can. 

• Additionally, you have access to the many resources SLU provides in support of your personal wellness. You will find a list of available resources on the Well-being page of the SLU website. Law school specific resources can be found here.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis: please consult the Crisis Support and Warning Signs on the University Counseling Center website.

In the spirit of cura personalis, the University sees your academic success as connected to your health and well-being and provides resources to support your holistic wellness. 

If you or someone you know is having trouble coping, there are many resources for help, all confidential. Here are a few:

• MOLAP 800-688-7859

• University Counseling Center 314-977-8255 (TALK) 

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 (TALK)

• Crisis Text Line text “HOME” to 741741