The Law Professor's Handbook

by Schachter, Madeleine

• ISBN13: 9780890895504
• ISBN10: 0890895503
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-01-06
• Publisher: Carolina Academic Press

Author Biography

Madeleine Schachter is Deputy General Counsel at Time Warner Book Group. She is an Adjunct Professor at the Fordham University School of Law.

Table of Contents

Introduction	3	(6)
Chapter 1 The Decision to Teach	9	(32)
Motivations for Teaching	9	(4)
The Learning Process	13	(5)
The Law School Experience	13	(2)
Objectives for the Professor	15	(3)
The Application Process	18	(13)
Information About Law Schools	18	(2)
Becoming a Candidate for a Faculty Position	20	(6)
Accepting a Position	26	(5)
The Full-Time Position	26	(3)
The Adjunct Position	29	(2)
Preparation to Assume the Position	31	(5)
Familiarizing Yourself with the School	31	(2)
Keeping Up With Legal Developments	33	(3)
Selected Resources	36	(5)
Chapter 2 Designing the Course	41	(50)
Defining Objectives and
Drafting the Course Description	41	(2)
Formulating the Course Curriculum	43	(7)
Creating the Syllabus	43	(4)
The Faculty Web-Site	47	(3)
Selection of Course Materials	50	(29)
Casebooks	50	(3)
Print Editions	50	(2)
CD-ROMs	52	(1)
Customized Texts	53	(10)
Coursepacks and Handouts	53	(1)
Web-Based Books, E-Books, and Tutorials	54	(9)
Legal Considerations for Authors	63	(16)
Intellectual Property Considerations	63	(11)
Using Others' Works	63	(10)
Use of Your Work By Others	73	(1)
Defamation and Privacy Issues	74	(2)
Professional Ethics and Professional Responsibility Issues	76	(3)
Course Requirements	79	(7)
Written Requirements	79	(3)
Examinations	79	(1)
Papers	79	(3)
Class Contribution	82	(9)
Attendance	82	(1)
Class Participation	83	(1)
Discussion Leaders	84	(1)
Student Presentations	85	(1)
Selected Resources	86	(5)
Chapter 3 Conducting Classes	91	(100)
Logistical Aspects	91	(4)
Classroom Facilities	91	(1)
Registration	92	(1)
Oversubscribed Classes	92	(1)
Requests to Audit Classes	93	(1)
Seating Arrangements	93	(1)
Recordation of Class Lectures	94	(1)
Collaborative Teaching	95	(7)
Guest Lecturers	96	(2)
Team Teaching	98	(2)
Teaching Assistants and Student Coaches	100	(1)
Study Groups	100	(2)
Integration of Electronic and Media Tools	102	(26)
In-Class Lecture Enhancements	109	(6)
The Chalkboard, the Dry-Erase Board, and the Easel	109	(1)
Overhead Transparencies and Graphic Presentation Programs	110	(3)
Videotapes, Film, and Audio Materials	113	(2)
Interactive Learning Devices and Computer Assisted Information	115	(13)
The Virtual Law Class and Distance Education	117	(4)
Asynchronous Methods	121	(5)
The Discussion Board	121	(3)
E-Mail Messages	124	(1)
Newsgroups, Mailing Lists, and E-Conferencing	124	(2)
Synchronous Methods	126	(2)
Chatrooms	126	(2)
Webcasts	128	(1)
Class Sessions	128	(59)
Planning Course Sessions	128	(5)
Articulating Session Objectives	128	(2)
Allocating Course Material to Class Sessions	130	(3)
Techniques for Lectures and Discussion Management	133	(19)
Teaching Through Lecture and Discussion	133	(5)
Stimulating and Managing Class Dialogue	138	(14)
Eliciting the Test	140	(1)
Virtually Universally Applicable Questions	141	(3)
Building On and Integrating the Holding	144	(1)
Advocating the Opposing Position	145	(1)
Offering Context	145	(2)
Shifting the Context	147	(3)
Segregating the Class for Comparative Commentary	150	(1)
Keeping the Class Attentive	151	(1)
Pedagogical Techniques	152	(39)
The Socratic and Case Methods	154	(4)
Hypotheticals, Case Studies, and Simulations	158	(3)
The Problem Solving Method	161	(1)
Collaborative Learning Tasks	162	(9)
Excursions	171	(1)
Games and Gimmicks	172	(1)
Cultivating Practitioner and Theoretician	173	(8)
Experiential Training	174	(4)
Professionalism, Professional Responsibility, and Pro Bono Activities	178	(3)
The Semester's Classes	181	(11)
The First Class	181	(3)
Segues and Transitions	184	(1)
Faculty Self-De-Briefing	184	(1)
The Final Class	185	(2)
Selected Resources	187	(4)
Chapter 4 Class Assessment and Evaluation of Faculty	191	(38)
Evaluation of Students	191	(31)
Methods of Evaluation	192	(14)
Written Methods	192	(12)
Examinations	192	(1)
Crafting an Exam	195	(1)
Grading the Exam	200	(2)
Papers	202	(2)
Class Contribution	204	(2)
Attendance	204	(1)
Class Participation	205	(1)
Methods and Timing of Conveying Feedback	206	(5)
Written Comments	207	(1)
Student Conferences	208	(1)
Self-Evaluation	208	(2)
Peer Evaluation	210	(1)
Review of Model Answers	210	(1)
Grading Standards	211	(11)
General Guidelines	211	(2)
Grading Methodologies	213	(3)
Absolute Grading Systems	213	(1)
Relative Or Norm-Referenced Grading Systems	214	(1)
Grading Curves	214	(1)
The Standard Deviation Method	215	(1)
T-Scores	216	(1)
The Gap Method	216	(1)
Submission of Grades	216	(1)
Academic Integrity	217	(5)
Faculty Assessment	222	(4)
Self-Assessment Techniques	222	(2)
Student Assessment of Faculty	224	(1)
Administrative and Peer Evaluation	225	(1)
Selected Resources	226	(3)
Chapter 5 Interacting with Students	229	(22)
Relating as a Professor to Students	229	(1)
Accessibility to Students	230	(3)
Special Student Needs	233	(15)
Student Difficulties	233	(1)
Academic Challenges	233	(7)
Substantive Challenges	233	(2)
Technological and Legal Research Challenges	235	(2)
Addressing Challenges to Grades	237	(3)
Challenges Relating to Student Temperaments	240	(6)
Inattention	241	(1)
Disruptions	242	(1)
Public Speaking Concerns	243	(2)
Personal or Stress-Related Difficulties	245	(1)
Career Advice and Student Employment	246	(2)
Offering Employment to Students	246	(1)
Serving as a Reference	247	(1)
Advising Students About Career Decisions	247	(1)
Selected Resources	248	(3)
Conclusion	251	(6)
Selected Resources: General	253	(4)
Checklist of Administrative Tasks	257	(4)
Acknowledgements	261	(2)
About the Author	263	(2)
Index	265