Learning Outcomes

Goal 1

Graduates should be able to apply well-developed analytical skills to resolve legal problems with at least a fundamental knowledge across a broad range of substantive doctrines.

Curriculum

In their first-year, law students receive instruction in 9 substantive courses, in addition to Legal Writing and Legal Research. The study of appellate cases and classroom discussion are designed to build analytical skills, while also providing doctrinal coverage in the fields studied. In their second and third years, students are required to take courses in Civil Procedure II, Criminal Procedure, Professional Responsibility, and Constitutional Law and are strongly encouraged to take a second semester of Income Taxation, Wills and Trusts, Corporations, and Evidence. These ensure that all students are exposed to a range of core legal concepts.

• Learning Outcome 1
  At the end of their first year, students will be able develop and apply a reasoned analytical framework for identifying and resolving problems presented to them.
   
• Learning Outcome 2
  By the end of their first year, students will be able to explain and apply basic civil litigation procedural rules.
   
• Learning Outcome 3
  At the end of their first year, students will recognize the need for and will have develop the ability to engage in life-long, independent learning, including the performance of independent legal research.
   
• Learning Outcome 4
  At the end of their second year, students will be able to relate concepts learned in different courses and apply well-developed critical thinking skills.
   
• Learning Outcome 5
  By the end of their third year, students will be able to analyze and solve complex real world legal problems.
   
• Learning Outcome 6
  By the end of their third year, students will be able to demonstrate a more advanced understanding of the fundamental concepts and policies underlying at least one area of law

Goal 2

Graduates should be able to effectively use basic practice, research, and communication skills.

Curriculum

First-year students develop their professional writing and research skills by taking legal writing and legal research. Each graduate is required to successfully complete at least one course designated by the faculty as a practice skills course, which includes substantial instruction in practice skills and individual feedback on student skills performance. In AY 2010-11, the law school will offer 29 sections of courses designated as professional skills courses. Other courses will have substantial practical drafting components. Skills taught in these courses include legal writing, advocacy, and drafting, as well as interviewing, counseling, negotiation, and methods of alternative dispute resolution. During Maymester and summer term, students may study international dispute resolution in the London program or take a variety of substantive and skills courses in Columbia. The law school provides faculty coaches for a variety of moot court and mock trial teams and hosts 5 law reviews, each with at least one faculty adviser. These extra-curricular activities are important in the development of writing and oral advocacy skills for participating students.

• Learning Outcome 1
  At the end of the first two semesters, students will be able to locate and use basic paper and electronic reference sources and be able to perform basic legal research.
   
• Learning Outcome 2
  At the end of the first two semesters, students will be able to communicate effectively using both objective and persuasive forms of legal writing.
   
• Learning Outcome 3
  At the end of their second year, students will be able to engage in at least some forms of legal drafting.
   
• Learning Outcome 4
  At the end of their third year, students will be able to conduct a basic interview or counseling session with a client or witness and will develop basic competency in skills as a negotiator, arbitrator, mediator, or advocate.

Goal 3

Graduates should have a strong sense of professional values and identity.

Curriculum

Students take a professionalism oath on the first day of law school and are introduced to sponsors who are practicing members of the Bar. Three sections of a required professional responsibility course will be offered during the regular year and one section is offered in Maymester. In addition, the school offers an elective seminar on current topics in professional responsibility and a final semester course on professionalism and advanced issues of legal practice. Specific professional responsibility issues are also taught pervasively within some of the other upper-level courses.

• Learning Outcome 1
  At the end of their first two semesters, students will recognize the need to comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct, other standards that govern the conduct and liability of lawyers, and the broader shared values of the profession.
   
• Learning Outcome 2
  At the end of their second year, students will be able to apply the Rules of Professional Conduct and other law governing the behavior of lawyers and be able to explain the various roles performed by lawyers within the legal system.
   
• Learning Outcome 3
  By the end of their third-year, students will be able, in an appropriate situation, to consider an issue using the principles of another discipline, in addition to traditional legal analysis.

Goal 4

Graduates should have at least one interdisciplinary perspective on the law and an understanding of the sources of law and legal change.

Curriculum

Each graduate must complete at least one course approved by the faculty as a perspective course, meaning that it provides study of legal issues in the perspective of another, related discipline or the study of international law or comparative legal systems. In AY 2009-10, 24 courses will qualify as perspective courses. History, literature, health, philosophy, and environmental science are among the disciplines applied in these courses.

• Learning Outcome 1
  By the end of their third-year, students will be able, in an appropriate situation, to consider an issue using the principles of another discipline, in addition to traditional legal analysis.