JLC Course Notes: Structure, Policies, and Calendar

Course Logistics

  • Office hours: 11:30 to 2:00 PM11:30\text{ to }2:00\,\text{PM} on Mondays; also available other days, generally Wednesdays and Thursdays; can be by appointment if that time doesn’t work.
  • Office location: Kerwin 262 (not 251).
  • Readings/materials: Readings posted on Canvas; I do not assign traditional textbooks because open-source materials are preferred; readings are posted on Canvas.
  • Textbooks: No books assigned; open-source materials used to avoid outdated content.
  • Readings location: All readings posted on Canvas (not in a separate library or book).

Course Structure & Assessments

  • Weekly structure: Content broken down by week (Monday and Thursday sessions).
  • Engagement grading: Attendance up to 10 points10\text{ points}; Participation up to 5 points5\text{ points}; total for attendance & engagement = 15 points15\text{ points}.
  • Excused absences: Outlined in the syllabus; follows undergraduate regulations.
  • Absence policies:
    • If sick: email me; no need for a doctor’s note or detailed explanation; I’ll trust you are sick.
    • If religious observance or other life events: please inform me.
    • Communication: lack of communication is the primary risk to your success in this course.
  • In-class quizzes:
    • Format: Short answer and short essays; not multiple-choice.
    • Timing: In-class unless accommodated by ASAC (Accessible Services for Students). If ASAC accommodation is used, you can still use the same quiz format.
    • Notes: You may bring one page of notes for the front and back of the page; you may format it any way (small type, drawings, etc.).
    • Constitution: You may bring a copy of the Constitution to quiz time.
  • Supreme Court preview:
    • Group presentations on pending Supreme Court cases; signup required.
    • Possible expansion to pending federal cases due to lower-court activity.
  • End-of-semester ADR exercise:
    • Alternative Dispute Resolution (mediation) simulation where you negotiate a settlement with opposing counsel from the class.
    • Expect some heated but constructive engagement; this is a key in-class project.
  • Attendance vs. engagement:
    • If you never speak, you won’t receive full engagement points.
    • Participation is about contribution; you don’t have to speak every class, but you should engage.
  • Extensions:
    • Try to contact me ahead of time if something comes up; extensions are more readily granted if discussed in advance.
    • I am generally less understanding after an extension window has passed.
  • Academic integrity & AI:
    • Read the academic integrity code.
    • For each assignment, I will discuss what AI use is allowed and what isn’t; AI usage is ubiquitous but must be ethical and honest.
  • Attendance for required activities:
    • Ensure you know quiz dates and ADR project dates; these are mandatory in-class dates.
  • Important dates (from syllabus, last page):
    • extSept22ext{Sept } 22: First quiz.
    • extOct16ext{Oct } 16: Supreme Court preview.
    • extNov20ext{Nov } 20: Quiz 3.
    • December: ADR exercise; in-class requirement; final delivery is the ADR project (no separate final exam on the exam schedule).
  • Thanksgiving week schedule:
    • No class on Monday or Thursday; no online meetings; no assignments due.
  • If you know you have a conflict with quiz dates or ADR dates, contact me sooner rather than later.

Course Content & Learning Goals

  • Focus of the first weeks: How laws are made; initial week covers how a bill becomes a law; we’ll cover this on Thursday.
  • Then topics move to:
    • Statutory interpretation
    • Civil and criminal procedure: how cases move through the justice system and all intermediate steps
    • Evidence and rules of civil procedure
    • Rules of criminal procedure
  • Overall aim: This course is an overview/introduction to the first year of law school, covering:
    • Civil Procedure
    • Criminal Procedure
    • Constitutional Law
    • Contract Law
    • Potentially some Property Law and Employment Law
  • Readings policy: No required textbooks; readings are assigned (open-source materials) and posted on Canvas.
  • Syllabus guidance: Read the syllabus carefully to understand readings, quizzes, and in-class dates; the last page lists important dates.

Contextual and Real-World Relevance

  • We’ll connect course content to current events in DC and national debates, including:
    • Federalization of federal agencies (police, ICE, FBI) and their presence in public spaces (e.g., metro stations)
    • Balance of powers across federal and local/state levels; DC home rule; and the role of courts in governance
  • Safety and civil rights discussion:
    • I’ll discuss the implications of protests and civil disobedience, while encouraging safe and legal conduct.
    • Practical preparation: knowing your rights, when to call a lawyer, and how to document and protect yourself.
    • Advice offered to students for personal safety and legal readiness: practice invoking your right to a lawyer, memorize an emergency contact, and have a plan in case of arrest or detainment.
  • Ethics and practical implications:
    • Ethical use of AI in law school tasks and legal practice; balancing innovation with integrity.
    • Respectful discussion about safety, civil liberties, and lawyering under pressure.

Safety & Classroom Policy Details

  • In the unlikely event an ICE agent appears at the door:
    • I will step out of the classroom to de-escalate and will not expose myself to bodily risk.
    • I will call campus police (AUPD) and request identification from the agent.
    • I will attempt to give students time and space to decide on their next steps while ensuring safety.
  • Rationale: These procedures aim to provide certainty and protect students while acknowledging real-world risks.

Notes on Form and Tone

  • The instructor’s remarks include direct, practical guidance and a candid discussion of safety in the current political environment.
  • Homework and prep are designed to build foundational legal reasoning and familiarization with first-year law school topics.
  • The course emphasizes timely communication, proactive planning, and attention to both academic and personal safety considerations.

Quick Reference: Key Points to Remember

  • Office hours: 11:30 to 2:0011:30\text{ to }2:00 on Mondays; otherwise available by appointment; location: Kerwin 262.
  • Readings: posted on Canvas; no assigned textbooks.
  • Grading components: Attendance 10 pts10\,\text{pts} + Participation 5 pts5\,\text{pts} = 15 pts15\,\text{pts} for engagement.
  • Quizzes: three in-class quizzes; format = short answers/essays; one page of notes allowed; Constitution copy allowed.
  • Major projects: Supreme Court preview (group presentation); ADR simulation (end of term).
  • Important dates: Sept 22 (Quiz 1), Oct 16 (Supreme Court preview), Nov 20 (Quiz 3), December (ADR)
  • Thanksgiving week: no class Mon or Thu; no online meetings.
  • Final exam: ADR project (no separate final exam in the schedule).
  • Safety planning: be prepared to discuss rights, call numbers, and procedures in case of arrest or agency presence.