Pre–Law Course Syllabus
LAS 290C, PREPARATION FOR LAW SCHOOL- 1 CREDIT
Wednesday 4:10-5:00 PM.
Fall 2009
Instructor: Bruce Allen Office Phone: 294-4831
Office: Catt Hall 102 Email: allenbs@iastate.edu
COURSE MATERIALS REQUIRED:
Statement on Pre-legal Education
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
This course is designed to provide information to students that will enhance their overall preparation for law school. Upon completing LAS 290C, it is assumed that a student will:
1. Develop sustaining relationships with other students seeking admission to law school.
2. Gain specific knowledge of law school admission requirements and application process.
3. Become aware of career opportunities within the field of law.
4. Learn about hiring trends regarding attorneys by specialty area.
5. Explore their beliefs about law and begin to develop a sense of reality of becoming an attorney.
6. Learn how to finance a legal education.
7. Develop strategies to be successful in the law school classroom.
8. Learn how to effectively prepare for the LSAT.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
- Attendance and active participation in all class sessions. You are expected to attend every class meeting. If you are ill and can not attend, please call and leave a message on my voice mail or send me an email to excuse your self.
- Completion of assigned readings. One class period will be devoted to the discussion of “Statement on Pre-legal Education”. You will need to read this document and be prepared to discuss in class.
- Completion of course assignment entitled “What criteria are important to me in selecting a law school”? Or”What characteristics and skills do I need to be considered a competitive candidate for law school”?
- Attend or complete any two of the following events/activities and write two reflection papers. They include:
- Criminal and/or civil law proceedings.
- On site law school presentation
C. Law related ISU campus presentation
D . Interview with an attorney
GRADING CRITERIA:
Grades (satisfactory/fail) will be based upon successful completion of the requirements stated above.
LAS 290C, PREPARATION FOR LAW SCHOOL, Fall 2009
Aug. 26 Welcome, introductions, and discussion of course syllabus and course requirements.
Introduction and discussion of course assignment, “What criteria are important to me in selecting a law school”? Or “What characteristics and skills do I need to be considered a competitive candidate for law school”?
Sept. 02 Shelley Orngard, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Story County, will speak about opportunities within Story County for community service. Although not a required course assignment, I do encourage you to participate in community service in fall 2009. BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS “Statement on Legal Education” for next class meeting.
TOPIC 1: Choosing to Practice Law
Sept. 09 What is your current image of an attorney? What factors contribute to the attention or lack of attention that is paid to attorneys? What skills, values, knowledge, and abilities do attorneys need? DISCUSSION of “Statement on Legal Education”.
TOPIC 2: Discussion of Law School Application and Admission
Criteria and Policies, and LSAT Preparation
Sept. 16 Kara Blanchard, Director of Admissions at Drake Law School, will discuss general
admission policies and procedures, the personal essay, the role of the admissions
committee, and the value of the personal statement.
Sept. 23 Ten question session with Kaplan representative identifying and analyzing typical
questions from the LSAT. Discussion will also include different methods and strategies
to prepare for the LSAT. Students who have taken the LSAT will meet separately to
discuss other types of law school preparation.
TOPIC 3: Planning your Career
Sept. 30 Jacqlene Nance, Assistant Director of Admissions from the University of Kansas School
of Law will speak about law school application criteria and policies.
Oct. 07 Trisha Fillbach, Director of Career Services at Drake law School, will speak about the
importance of a law school student performing a law school internship/clerkership,
networking with law school alumnus, and developing an awareness of law school related
careers in and outside of the courtroom.
TOPIC 4: The Role of an Attorney/Law Student
Oct 14 Panel discussion reflecting personal and professional experiences of attorneys.
Oct. 21 Neil Hamilton, Drake Law School Professor of Law and and Director of the Drake Law
School Agricultural Law Center, will speak about the roles and expectation of the
professor and student in a law school classroom.
Oct. 28 Current/former law school students will reflect upon her experiences as a law student.
TOPIC 5: How to Finance a Legal Education
Nov. 04 Susan Ladd, Director of Financial Aid from Drake Law School, will speak about how to
finance a legal education.
TOPIC 6: Law and the Courtroom
Nov.11 Judge Michael Moon, from the Story County District Court, will speak about courtroom
procedures, roles of the participants, and general decorum in the courtroom..
TOPIC 6: Technology and Law
Nov.18 Heidi Nebel , a Des Moines attorney, will speak about Intellectual Property Law.
TOPIC 7: Public Interest Law
Dec. 02 An attorney from the Legal Aid Society of Story County will speak
about public interest law. COURSE ASSIGNMENT DUE.
Dec 09 Finish class business. Administer course evaluations.
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