Fall 2014 Course Schedule

Supervised Extshp Sem (LAW-769-007)
Schneider

Meets: 06:00 PM - 07:50 PM (Th) - Room 445

Enrolled: 15 / Limit: 15

Administrator Access


Notices

IMPORTANT: CLASS WILL MEET IN SMALL GROUPS FOR AN EXTRA HOUR EVERY OTHER WEEK. The time/place of this extra meeting is determined by the professor. REGISTRATION: There are two parts to registering for an externship: 1) Register on-line for the seminar as you would for any class. 2) Register for the field placement by going to the Externship Page www.wcl.american.edu/externship and submit a Request for Approval, which generates the necessary forms.

Description

This is a three credit class to be taken in conjunction with a field placement in a non-profit organization, government agency, court or private law firm handling pro bono matters exclusively. This class is open to students who are working at all different kinds of placements – private firms, government agencies, NGO’s, social services agencies, plaintiffs or defendants: the greater the assortment of placements, the more interesting the discussions. We will explore why you want to practice law; evaluate whether your goals and career choices are consistent with your purposes; and talk about how you can maximize your happiness as a lawyer. We will also look at various challenges and issues that arise in the practice of law. We will consider how to be fulfilled and maintain a healthy life balance in your law career. We will do this by reflecting on your externship experiences, and incorporating what you are learning into your future life. And we often address the eternal question asked of new lawyers, “What did you really expect?” (Not to mention, “What were you thinking?”) The format of the class will be discussion based and included simulations, role-plays, and perhaps voting on issues. There are materials to read every week. Written work includes weekly journals, and three 5-page memos. Near the end of the semester, each student will make a class presentation that relates to their placement or the course. Generally, this course revolves around the class discussions. The class will meet every week for two hours (Thursdays, 6:00 – 7:50 pm), plus one additional hour every other week to address specific concerns of your placements. You only have to attend the extra hour once every two weeks. One week, the session will be the hour before class, the alternate week will be one hour after class. You choose which hour you want as your schedule.

Textbooks and Other Materials

The textbook information on this page was provided by the instructor. Students should use this information when considering purchases from the AU Campus Store or other vendors. Students may check to determine if books are currently available for purchase online.

The required text for the seminar is J.P. Ogilvy, Leah Wortham & Lisa G. Lerman, Learning from Practice: A Professional Development Text for Legal Externs (West Group, 2d ed. 2007), which is available to purchase at the Campus Bookstore.

First Class Readings

See syllabus

Syllabus

Use your MyAU username and password to access the syllabus in the following format(s):