LEGAL METHODS I COURSE SYLLABUS

INTRODUCTION AND COURSE DESCRIPTION

Course: Legal Methods I Term: 17-18 Academic Year (Fall '17)

Course Number: L151F Day and Time: Thursday, 1:30-4:30
and 6:30-9:30
Number of Units: 2

Instructors: Alicia Diaz Wrest (awrest@sjcl.edu), Mark Masters (mmasters@co.fresno.ca.us), Anastasya Uskov
(anastasya.uskov@faculty.sjcl.edu); Conlin Reis (conlin.reis@faculty.sjcl.edu);
Ray Horng (ray.horng@faculty.sjcl.edu); and Daniel Danziger (daniel.danziger@faculty.sjcl.edu).

Course Description: The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the skills that are essential for their
ultimate success in law school. Students will be introduced to the importance of time management and class
preparation. In addition, students will learn about precedent, the Federal and California legal systems, and the
hierarchy of legal authorities. Early in the semester, students will be taught how to read a case, prepare a case
brief for class participation, and how to take class notes. Soon thereafter, they will be introduced to the important
skill of outlining their course materials and how those outlines can help them to prepare for an exam. Finally,
students will learn about legal analysis, IRAC, and the importance of developing their writing skills.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES and PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

This course will cover and assess the following emphasized Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) and related
Performance Criteria (PC):

Student Learning Outcome 1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the structures and processes of the
U.S. legal system and foundational substantive law, including subjects tested on bar examinations.
Performance Criteria for SLO 1. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Identify and comprehend the principles of the substantive subjects tested on bar examinations,
including the evolution of that law and its policy underpinnings.
2. Identify and comprehend the structure and jurisdiction of federal and state courts in the United
States and the function of precedent.
3. Explain the processes of federal and state civil procedure.
Student Learning Outcome 2. Demonstrate proficiency in legal analysis and problem solving.
Performance Criteria for SLO 2. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Read critically applicable authority (Constitutions, statutes, administrative regulations, cases),
including identifying relevant legal rules and underlying policy.
2. Identify key issues in a factual situation.
3. Synthesize relevant rules of law into a logical framework for analysis, including determining which
rule a court is likely to apply where rules conflict.
4. Apply identified rules to the relevant facts and evaluate potential counterarguments to predict the
likely outcome of the case.
5. Analogize the facts to and distinguish the facts from those of precedent cases to predict the likely
outcome of the case.
Student Learning Outcome 3. Demonstrate competence in written and oral communication in a variety of
settings.
Performance Criteria for SLO 3. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Speak in a clear, concise, well-organized, well-reasoned and professional manner.
2. Speak effectively in both objective and persuasive styles as appropriate to the circumstances.
3. Write clear, concise, well-organized, well-reasoned, and professionally expressed documents.
4. Write effectively in both objective and persuasive styles as appropriate to the circumstances.
5. Cite appropriate authority with candor, including any relevant contrary authority.

Page 1 of 5
Legal Methods I Course Syllabus
 6. Listen actively to clients, judges, and others.
Student Learning Outcome 4. Demonstrate mastery of appropriate strategies and technologies to research legal
issues effectively and efficiently.
Performance Criteria for SLO 4. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Design and implement a logical research plan, weighing time and resource constraints.
2. Employ appropriate resources and technologies to retrieve, use and manage research materials.
3. Assess accurately the weight of authority.
Student Learning Outcome 5. Demonstrate the ability to recognize and resolve ethical issues and exhibit
professionalism.
Performance Criteria for SLO 5. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Identify and comprehend the applicable law governing legal ethics.
2. Apply knowledge of legal ethics to representation of clients, performance of duties as an officer of
the courts, and resolution of ethical dilemmas.
3. Demonstrate professional judgment and professionalism through conduct consistent with the legal
profession’s values and standards.
4. Collaborate effectively with others in a variety of legal contexts.
Student Learning Outcome 6. Demonstrate practical skills commonly used in legal practice.
Performance Criteria for SLO 6. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to:
1. Recognize and appreciate litigation alternatives, including arbitration, mediation, and negotiation.
2. Identify the practical considerations in pursuing legal remedies.
3. Interview a client, accurately identifying the client’s objective.
4. Synopsize a client’s issue(s), including an assessment of the facts, culminating in a client letter or
position memorandum.
5. Design a plan to resolve the client’s issue(s), tailored to the client’s objectives and legal options
available.

GRADING

The class grade will be based upon a total of 100 available percentage points. The points are earned
through graded writing assignments, in-class practice exams/quizzes, and a final exam. Percentage points are
awarded for the two scheduled practice exams. The student must make a good faith effort on the practice exams
and the professor retains sole discretion over awarding percentage points for these practice exams. Each student
must meet individually for informal review sessions with the instructor during the semester. Each time a student
fails to meet with the instructor, a percentage point will be deducted from their grade. Grades will be calculated
as follows:

Assignment #1 – Case briefing (5%)

Assignment #2 – CASE FILE ASSIGNMENT – Rule synthesis exercise – IN CLASS (5%)
Assignment #3 – CASE FILE ASSIGNMENT – Outline Issues and Arguments (5%)
Assignment #4 – CASE FILE ASSIGNMENT – Opinion Letter (15%)
Assignment #5 – CASE FILE ASSIGNMENT – Formal Law Office Memo (25%)
Assignment #6 – CASE FILE ASSIGNMENT – REWRITE Formal Law Office Memo (8%)
Practice Exam – Contracts – IN CLASS (1%)
Practice Exam – Civil Procedure – IN CLASS (1%)
Final Exam – In Class Exam on ExamSoft (35%)

CALI EXERCISES: Throughout the semester CALI lessons will be assigned. These lessons must be completed prior
to the class for which the lesson is assigned. Except for the grammar and plagiarism modules specified below, no
specific score is required. However, failure to complete any assigned CALI lesson prior to class will result in an
absence. See the Class Preparedness and Attendance Policy below.

Page 2 of 5
Legal Methods I Course Syllabus
CALI Grammar & Plagiarism Modules: There are two grammar modules and one plagiarism module assigned
during the semester. Before November 9, 2017, students must attain a 75% or higher on all three modules.
Students may make as many attempts as necessary, but the first completed attempt must occur prior to the start
of class for the dates they are assigned. While no points are allocated for the successful completion of the two
grammar and single plagiarism modules, they are a MANDATORY component of the class.

ASSIGNMENTS/WRITTEN EXERCISES

Written Assignments are due at the beginning of class on the dates noted in this syllabus and/or by the
instructor in class. It is your responsibility to turn in your assignments on time. Late assignments will be accepted;
however, the grade will be decreased by 20% of the original total possible for each day the assignment is late. I do
not anticipate allowing extra credit at this time.

Unless specifically instructed or otherwise authorized, all assignments must be turned in using the SJCL
FSE website. Follow the instructions provided at http://sjcl.edu/index.php/it-services/support-guides/fse-
uploading-assignments. Pursuant to the instructions provided and SJCL policy, use your PIN number for purposes
of identification on all papers. Please, do not include your name on any assignment.

CLASS PREPAREDNESS AND ATTENDANCE

Per the attendance policy, you are allowed three (3) absences in this class. The failure to be prepared for
class and/or turn in material to the instructor, which is part of the reading assignment, will result in the student
being marked absent for that day of class. In addition, failure to complete any assigned CALI lesson, prior to the
start of class for which the lesson is assigned, will result in an absence.

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Charles R. Calleros, Legal Method and Writing (7th ed. 2011);

CALI lessons; and
Handouts to be provided by the professor.

SEE NEXT PAGE FOR COURSE SCHEDULE

///

Page 3 of 5
Legal Methods I Course Syllabus
 COURSE SCHEDULE

The following is a tentative schedule. If we have not completed our discussion of the material on any given day, we will continue where we left
off at the next class meeting. If a substantial change in a reading assignment occurs, I will send you a revised reading schedule either via your
SJCL.EDU email account or through a handout in class. It is your responsibility, however, to keep apprised of any changes by regularly checking
that email account.

Course: Legal Methods I Term: Fall 2017

DATE Topic Reading SLOs & PCs

Calleros CALI Exercises Handouts
08/08 Introduction to the Legal System; General 3-29 & Leah M. Christensen, Legal SLO1: PC2;
study skills will be discussed; Case briefing; 115-142 Reading and Success in Law SLO2: PC1-2.
Grammar; CALI sign up discussion School: An Empirical Study, 30
SEATTLE U. L. REV. 603 (2007).
Assigned: 2 Case Briefs

Due: Personal Bio; Two-week schedule

08/10 Judicial authority; Precedent; Note-taking; 55-72 Where Does Law Meyer, R. (2014, May 01). To SLO1: PC2;
Grammar Come From? remember a lecture better, take SLO2: PC1-2.
notes by hand. The Atlantic.
Assigned: Assignment # 1- Briefing

Due: 2 Case Briefs

Konnikova, M. (2014, June 02).
What’s lost as handwriting
fades. New York Times.

08/17 IRAC; Rule synthesis; Grammar; Bring in Torts 81-98 Learning Legal Stacie Reimer Smith. (2013). SLO2: PC3-5.
class notes for review and discussion Analysis Through Its Creating effective rule
Components: Issue, statements. The Writing Center
Due: Assignment #1 - Briefing Rule, Application, at GULC.
Conclusion--IRAC

08/24 Rule synthesis continued; Introduction to 99-105 & Plagiarism Keeping Danielle Pineres. (2011). Ten SLO2: PC1-5;
writing legal memos and opinion letters; 329-341 Out of Trouble (Must tips for transitioning to legal SLO3: PC3-5.
Grammar make first attempt by writing. The Writing Center at
this date; Must get GULC.
Assigned: Assignment # 2 - In Class Rule 75% before 11/9/17)
Synthesis
08/31 Fact analysis; Course outlining; Outlining in 105-111 & Punctuation and Outlining Handout Villanova SLO2: PC1-5;
General; Grammar 153-167 Grammar Basics for SLO3: PC3-5.
Students; Punctuation
Assigned: Assignment #3 - Outlining and Grammar: Outlining Handout Idaho
Advanced (Must make
first attempt by this
date; Must get 75%
before 11/9/17)
09/07 Individual Meetings will be held to discuss Email SLO2: PC1-5;
class outlines, any graded assignments Correspondence: SLO3: PC3-5.
Ethical and
Due: Assignment #3 - Outlining Professional
Considerations

09/14 Opinion Letters 309-329 Opinion Letter Handout SLO2: PC1-5;

SLO3: PC3-5;
Assigned: Assignment #4 - Opinion Letter SLO6: PC4.

09/21 NO CLASS No Class

Due: Assignment #4 - Opinion Letter

Page 4 of 5
Legal Methods I Course Syllabus
DATE Topic Reading SLOs & PCs
Calleros CALI Exercises Handouts
09/28 Basic statutory analysis; The Importance of 31-52 & SLO1: PC2;
editing; Grammar; In-class editing exercise; 271-308 SLO3: PC3-5.

10/05 Content, format, and organization of formal 207-271 Issue Statements for SLO2: PC1-5;
memos; Grammar Memos and Briefs SLO3: PC3-5;
SLO6: PC4.
Assigned: Assignment #5 - Formal Office
Memo

10/12 Exam writing; Issue spotting; Grammar 169-188 Writing Better Law SLO2: PC1-5;
School Exams: The SLO3: PC3-5.
Importance of
Structure
10/19 Individual Meetings will be held to discuss No Reading SLO2: PC1-5;
Assignment #5 and progress in substantive SLO3: PC3-5;
classes and Contracts Exam SLO6: PC4.

Due: Assignment #5 - Formal Office Memo

10/26 Contracts Midterm exam using your No Reading SLO1: PC1-2;

computer on Examsoft; More fact analysis; SLO2: PC1-5;
Grammar SLO3: PC3-5.

11/02 Civil Procedure Midterm exam using your No Reading SLO1: PC1-2;
computer on Examsoft; Further discussions SLO2: PC1-5;
on organizing information for memos and SLO3: PC3-5.
exams

Assigned: Assignment #6 - Office Memo

Rewrite

11/09 Final Exam Strategy Lecture & In class Final Exam Strategy Handout SLO1: PC2;
practice SLO3: PC3-5.

Due: Assignment #6 Office Memo Rewrite

11/16 Final - 3 hour writing exam in Examsoft SLO1: PC2;

SLO3: PC3-5.

Page 5 of 5
Legal Methods I Course Syllabus