Legal Persuasion

Limit: 16 students

This course is intended for second, third, and fourth year students wanting to improve critical reading, thinking, and writing skills. Students should be willing to write and re-write often. Students will reflect on the sophisticated links between their thinking and their writing. This course is based on theoretical principles of classical rhetoric and research from cognitive psychology and literary theory.

Topics may include: establishing logos in legal writing; establishing intelligence and good will in legal writing; using literary references in judicial opinions; and appreciating elements of rhetorical style. Students will write for every class session, and will be evaluated on a major writing project and shorter works. Students also should expect to make short in-class presentations and prepare to be in-class experts on selected topics.

Meets WIE requirement.

 

Summer Description (ONLY)

This course is intended for second, third and fourth year students who desire to improve critical reading, thinking and writing skills. Students should be willing to write and re-write often. Students will reflect on the sophisticated links between their thinking and their writing. This course is based on theoretical principles of classical rhetoric and research from cognitive psychology and literary theory.

Topics may include: establishing logos in legal writing; establishing intelligence and good will in legal writing; using literary references in judicial opinions; and appreciating elements of rhetorical style. Students will write for every class session, and will be evaluated on a major writing project and shorter works. Students also should expect to make short in-class presentations and prepare to be in-class experts on selected topics.

There will be some class periods shorter than two hours. The schedule will be provided the first week of class.

Meets WIE requirement.