Preparing for class and Getting Help

Where do I find stuff?

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

How much time will this course require?

For every credit hour awarded, ABA accreditation requirements require at least 1 hour of direct instruction and at least 2-3 hours of independent (of the professor) work by students. This translates to at least 6-8 total hours of work per week outside of 3 hours of class-time for this class (for a total of at least 9-12 hours of work per week). This time may include reading the assigned material, completing assigned exercises and other work, outlining and preparing for writing assignments, and drafting, editing, and revising your major writing assignments. 

What will class be like, and how do I prepare?

In class, we will work together to learn the key features of legal analysis, research, and communication. Before each class, please complete the reading assignment and any exercises in Canvas assigned for that day. Class time will be spent mostly on working together to practice what you have read about. As you will learn, communicating about the law can be different from the kinds of writing and speaking you are used to. Legal communication is reader centered, and your audience has certain narrow expectations and no time. As a result, the processes used to create different types of writing or oral communication may involve a less-linear and more revision-heavy process than prior writing you have done.

Law school can be disorienting and challenging in ways you don't expect. Legal writing in particular can be quite a lot of work. You would not be here, though, if you could not meet this challenge. You belong here. And even though it may be scary to get feedback or not know for sure if what you are doing is correct and tedious to pay attention to the reader's expectations and master the details, the assignments, exercises, and reflections we do are designed to give you opportunities to develop your skills and to solidify your understanding of topics we are learning in class. I want you each to succeed in school and with whatever you do afterwards, and I will do what I can to help you do that. Ultimately, the real work is done by you. While I can explain the process, show you techniques, and provide feedback, you are the only one who can do the work to learn how to analyze, research, and communicate about the law.

Working with Teaching Assistants

You will be assigned a Teaching Assistant (TA) in the first week in the semester. The TAs are second-year students who were in LARC last year. They will serve as a resource and guide you in your learning. During the semester, you will turn in exercises and smaller assignments to your TAs who will provide you feedback. In addition, TAs will hold a scheduled office hour each week. Here is some guidance to help you develop a positive working relationship with your TA:

• Think of your TA like you would a senior associate in your law firm. Senior associates in a firm have been in your situation as a new associate or law clerk and have developed expertise in the kind of work you will be asked to do. They have some mentoring responsibilities that include providing specific feedback and guidance which will help you develop your skills. Communicate with them in a respectful and professional manner, using the process of communication they have shared.

• Like senior associates, TAs also have a full workload of their own, so be respectful of their time. Please approach your TA with specific, pointed questions and expect that your TA will comment only on the issues that you have raised.  When you meet with your TA, identify for the TA what aspect of your analysis or writing you are asking them to review/comment on and come prepared to share options you have considered and rejected.  Your TA will not review a draft – or even a section – in its entirety.  And please do not ask for general comments or feedback.

• The substance of the analysis and quality of the writing you submit is your responsibility.  The TAs and I will work hard to ensure that you receive consistent information.  However, if you receive advice or feedback from your TA that seems inconsistent with something that I have said, please ask me for clarification.

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 in Canvas. 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. I try to respond to emails within 24-hours, although on weekends, it might be 48.

• Ask during office hours. 

• Set up an appointment.