Forging an Analytical Mind: The Law School Classroom Experience

22 Pages Posted: 12 Dec 2008

See all articles by James Jay Brown

James Jay Brown

Stetson University - College of Law

Date Written: Spring , 2000

Abstract

Law school classroom dynamics differ so drastically from college classroom experiences that entering students are quickly confused and shocked. Alleviating these reactions is the purpose of this experienced professor's article that is written for incoming students. He starts with a comparison by looking at undergraduate education, first, and then comparing it to law school practices and goals. In the classroom, with the guidance of their law teachers, process and substantive doctrines are explored along with policy. Reasoning skills for defining the relevant issues, precedent rules and factual analysis are honed in written and oral assignments. The casebooks, not textbooks, are explored because they are the unique method by which judicial opinion analysis forms the foundation for learning the processes and the laws of each subject. Because these students are new, the author defines their role for learning and the corresponding role of the professor as a facilitator in this unusual and new learning environment. Because these roles are so different from any of their prior experiences, the article concludes by explaining to the student reader the positive results that usually flow from this type of intense education. The ultimate result over the three year experience is the development of the skills of keen observation, reading and self-teaching. These will stimulate thinking and reasoning capabilities that did not exist, previously. Thus begins the life-long learning and growth of a legally trained professional. Washington University in St. Louis School of Law recommended the predecessor of this article to its admittees as some others may be doing with this revision.

Keywords: law school education, Law school classroom dynamics, skills of keen observation, reading and self-teaching

JEL Classification: K10, K19

Suggested Citation

Brown, James Jay, Forging an Analytical Mind: The Law School Classroom Experience (Spring , 2000). Stetson Law Review, Vol. 29, No. 1135, 2000, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1313402

James Jay Brown (Contact Author)

Stetson University - College of Law ( email )

1401 61st Street South
Gulfport, FL 33707
United States

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