U.S. Law & Language -- schedule and syllabus (SAMPLE ONLY)
The class is held Monday through Friday from 9:30a.m. -12:30.
EXAMPLE ONLY
Syllabus:
Class 1
Opening Breakfast-9:30 in Room 111
Introductions (interview classmate and present to class)
Lecture: U.S. Legal System (note taking exercise)
Participating in classroom discussionsAfternoon
Tour of Oakland -meet at 1:30 in front of law school;
LL.M. registration at 3:00
Assignment: Start reading One L; read and write a summary of the Pavlicic case, pp. 64-70, to discuss in class.
Class 2
The law school classroom
Corpus Juris Game
Reading & Briefing Cases
In-class reflective writingWestlaw-2:00 p.m. in library
Assignment: Read and brief the Neiderman case on pages 73-85 to hand in tomorrow.
Continue reading One L. Prepare an outline of your presentation for Thursday to hand in tomorrow.
Class 3
Culture Shock
Applying law to facts; Language of Prediction
Language skills
Reflective writing
Guest Lecture on U.S. law school learning- Dean Kevin Deasy at 11:00-12:30.
Due today: Brief of the Neiderman case; an outline of your presentation for Thursday.
TA office hours beginning at 1:30 to help students prepare for presentations.
Class 4
Presentations: your legal systems--mini lesson on your country
Assignment: Read materials and brief cases on pages 98-122 for Monday.
Complete reading of One L.Friday, July 13, 2007:
Friday movie: 10 a.m. The Paper Chase.
Lunch at 12 noon with research and teaching assistants in the Alcoa Room on the second floor.
Meet at 4:45 p.m. in front of law school.
Picnic at 5:30 p.m. at Fox Chapel Park
Week 2
Watch the videotape of your presentation sometime this week.
Answer the assigned questions about your performance.
Class 5
Statutes
Reading and listening skills; Grammar
Reflective writing
Due today: Memorandum addressing the Hope hypothetical;
briefs of the Interest of D.S., Scott and Bryant cases.
Afternoon tour of City-County Building with TA's-meet at 1:15 in front of law school
Assignment: Read and brief cases found on pages 130-143 for Wednesday.
Class 6
Meet in front of law school at 8:15 a.m. for trip to the jail
Lunch and afternoon visit to the Meyer Unkovic law firm.
Class 7
Discussion of case briefs due for today
Language for Comparing and Contrasting
Duty to Aid Hypothetical
10:30-11:30-Internet research with Susanna Leers
Due today: Briefs of City of Philadelphia, Yania and Rankin cases.
Afternoon trip to the U.S. attorney's office at 2:00-meet outside the law school at 1:15
Class 8
Interviewing techniques
Client Interview
Research Problem Assigned--write an introduction for a research paper
Presentations of research topics (15 minutes each)- July 25-26, 2007
Class ends at 11. Lexis training from 11-12 in the library.
Afternoon trip to Judge Weis's chambers at 1:30 p.m.-meet in front of law school at 12:45.
Assignment: Read and brief cases on pages 247-275 for Monday.
Week 3
Attend a mandatory meeting this week with your TA to prepare for your presentation.
Class 9
Language of negotiation
Negotiation techniques
Discussion of Pugh, Glickman, Feld and Reider cases.
Assignment: Prepare for negotiation. Continue research for your presentation and prepare a summary of your topic to share with the class tomorrow.
TA's available from 1:00-3:00 to assist you to prepare for your presentation.
Class 10
Share your topic for your presentation; Each student will prepare a question for each presenter to consider.
Negotiation and drafting of settlement agreement.Assignment: Continue to research and prepare for your presentation.
TA's available from 1:00-3:00 to assist you to prepare for your presentation.
Class 11
Presentations on your proposed seminar topic in your area of interest
Hand in introduction, bibliography, and final outline of presentation in class.
TA's available from 1:00-3:00 to assist you to prepare for your presentation.
Class 12
Presentations on your proposed seminar topic in your area of interest
Hand in introduction, bibliography, and final outline of presentation in class.
Ending celebration and awarding of certificates-12:30 Carnegie Museum Café.
Afternoon Events - EXAMPLE ONLY
WEEK 1
Monday
-Tour of the University of Pittsburgh-Oakland
Tuesday
-West Law Training Session
Wednesday
-Internet Research Training Session
-Teaching Assistant's Office Hours
Thursday
-Lexis Nexis Training Session
Friday
-Movie during class: The Paper Chase
-Pizza party for Lunch
-Picnic
WEEK 2
Monday
-Review session of the U.S. legal system, basic legal process, case briefing (law school methodology), case synthesis, and exam preparation with the Associate Dean of Students, Professor Kevin Deasy
-Tour of the City County Building
Tuesday
-Tour of the Allegheny County Jail
-Visit to the Honorable Judge Joseph Weis Chambers
Wednesday
-Meet with U.S. Attorney's Office
Thursday
-Luncheon and visit at Meyer, Unkovic LLP
-Pittsburgh Pirates Professional Baseball Game
Friday
-Movie during class: The Pelican Brief
-Pizza party for Lunch
WEEK 3
Monday
-Teaching Assistant's Office Hours
Tuesday
-Teaching Assistant's Office Hours
Wednesday
-Free Time to work on presentations
Thursday
-Closing Luncheon at the Carnegie Cafe
