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BAR PASSAGE STRATEGIES
Spring 2015
Prof. Elliott Riebman
(847) 814-2900
eriebman@yahoo.com
Office Hours:
By appointment only
CLASS MEETINGS: Tuesday (4 - 5:40 p.m.)
INDIVIDUAL CONFERENCE: One conference to be scheduled individually with each
student during week 10.
TEXTS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pass the Bar! (Riebe & Schwartz, Carolina Academic Press 2006)
Photocopied packet of class materials (to be distributed in class)
BarBri BEAT materials (to be purchased from BarBri)
(Recommended) Plain English for Lawyers (Wydick, Carolina Academic Press
5th ed. 2005)
VIEWING VIDEOS
Selected BarBri lecture videos available on D2L website
OBJECTIVES
This course is designed to show you:




how to read bar exam questions and answer them under time pressure;
how to structure and write bar exam essay answers;
how to develop strategies for answering multiple-choice questions;
how to draft a legal-analytical document for the Multistate Performance Test.
This course is writing-intensive, because the only way to develop bar exam skills is
through practice and constantly aiming for the next level. Much of the value of this
course is based on your taking responsibility for your future and becoming an
independent learner. There is no magic pill for passing the bar. Preparation, patience,
participation, dedication, and an open mind are the keys to your success in this course. I
hope this course will empower you to take control and succeed on the bar exam.
GRADING
1. Tests, graded assignments, individual conference. See class
schedule below for in-class tests and graded assignments, point values (in
parentheses after the assignment title), and assigned and due dates. The
individual conference (see p. 1) is mandatory and worth 5 points. Your
grade will be based on the cumulative total of points earned
throughout the semester.
2. Non-graded assignments. All non-graded homework assignments must
be completed satisfactorily, in order to receive a passing grade for this
course.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
1.
Deadline. All out-of-class assignments are mandatory and must be
submitted at the beginning of class on the posted due date. Late
papers will be penalized the equivalent of 20% per calendar day.
Failure to complete an assignment (whether graded or not) will result in a
failing grade for the course.
2.
Anonymity. All assignments are graded anonymously. Do not put your
name on any assignment. Identify your work by posting your DePaul I.D.
number on the upper left-hand corner of the first page.
3.
Submit two copies of each assignment. One copy will be marked and
returned to you. In accordance with University policy, I will retain the other
copy in my files. In addition, retain a hard copy of each assignment for
your file.
4.
Format. The documents you prepare must be professional in appearance.
All assignments that are prepared outside of class must:

be computer-printed on white 8-1/2 x 11 paper;

be typed in 12-point font;
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be double-spaced;

if more than one page, be neatly stapled and contain page numbers
on the bottom center of each page, starting on page 2 – just as I did
on this syllabus;

contain standard one-inch margins on all sides.
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5.
Academic Integrity Pledge. Each assignment submitted should
represent the work of you and you alone. Collaboration with anyone, or
discussion of the assignment with anyone other than me, is strictly
prohibited.
On the last page of each assignment, type and sign the following pledge
with your I.D. number: “On my honor, I pledge that I have neither given nor
received improper aid in the completion of this assignment.” Do NOT put
this pledge on a separate page unless you have run out of space at the end
of the assignment.
REQUIREMENTS FOR EACH IN-CLASS TEST
1.
Test procedure. All in-class tests will be taken via laptop computer and
commence promptly at the beginning of class. Each test will take one
hour, except for the 90-minute MPT. On any test day, please arrive in the
classroom at least five minutes before class time (i.e., 3:55 p.m.), so you
can set up your laptop. If you are late, you will not be allotted any
additional time to complete the test.
At the end of the test period, email your test as a Word attachment to
larendt@depaul.edu. In the subject line, indicate “Riebman (name of test
– e.g., Essay).” Do NOT put your name anywhere on the test. My clerk
will then print your test and give it to me without identifying you.
2.
Document format. Be sure to include your I.D. number at the top of every
page of your answer. The document should be prepared in Word format.
Double-space your answer. A page number should appear at the bottom
of each page. Failure to comply with these formatting requirements will
result in points deducted from your score.
VIDEO VIEWING
Each BarBri B.E.A.T. lecture can be accessed on D2L website. To get the most mileage
out of each lecture, be sure to read the BarBri outline beforehand and take notes on the
corresponding lecture handout as you watch the video on D2L.
STATEMENT ON PLAGIARISM
DePaul University is a learning community that fosters the pursuit of knowledge and the
transmission of ideas within a context that emphasizes a sense of responsibility for
oneself, for others and for society at large. Violations of academic integrity, in any of their
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forms, are, therefore, detrimental to the values of DePaul, to the students’ own
development as responsible members of society, and to the pursuit of knowledge and the
transmission of ideas. Violations include but are not limited to the following categories:
cheating; plagiarism; fabrication; falsification or sabotage of research data; destruction or
misuse of the university’s academic resources; alteration or falsification of academic
records; and academic misconduct. Conduct that is punishable under the Academic
Integrity Policy could result in additional disciplinary actions by other university officials
and possible civil or criminal prosecution. Please refer to your Student Handbook or visit
Academic Integrity at DePaul University (http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu) for further
details.
DISABILITIES RELATED ACCOMMODATIONS
Students seeking disability-related accommodations are required to register with
DePaul’s Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) enabling you to access
accommodations and support services to assist your success. There are two office
locations:
• Loop Campus – Lewis Center #1420 – (312) 362-8002
• Lincoln Park Campus – Student Center #370 – (773) 325-1677
Students are also invited to contact me privately to discuss your challenges and how I
may assist in facilitating the accommodations you will use in this course. This is best done
early in the term and our conversation will remain confidential.
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CLASS SCHEDULE - SPRING 2015
w
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Assigned
Written
Assgnmt
Due
Returned
Date
Topic
1
1/13
Introduction: bar exam
components,
preparation and
scheduling.
2
1/20
Essay and outlining
strategies.
Practice torts
essay 1
(ungraded)
3
1/27
Essay strategies
(cont’d).
Practice torts
essay 2 (5)
4
2/3
MPT strategies.
Practice essay 1
feedback.
Practice MPT 1
(ungraded)
5
2/10
Work through sample
essays in class. Essay
2 feedback.
6
2/17
In-class torts essay
exam (10)*. MPT 1
feedback.
7
2/24
In-class MPT (10).
8
3/3
Group feedback: Torts
essay test and MPT.
Group MPT exercise.
9
3/10
In-class contracts essay
exam (20). MPT
feedback.
Practice MPT 2
(10)
10
3/17 19
Conference Week (no
class)
Individual
conference
11
3/31
Multiple-choice (MBE)
strategies. Contracts
exam feedback.
Practice MBE 1
(ungraded).
Riebe ch. 14
Practice MPT 2
In-class
contracts essay
exam
12
4/7
Group feedback: MPT-2.
More MBE strategies.
Alumni panel to share
bar success stories and
do Q & A.
Practice MBE 2
(ungraded)
Riebe ch. 11-12,
17-19
Practice MBE 1
(key given)
Practice MPT-2
13
4/14
In-class essay exam
(20). Managing time,
studying, stress, job,
family.
14
4/21
In-class MBE (17).
Reading/
Viewing Due
Riebe ch. 1-5,
8-10
Riebe ch. 13, 15
BarBri torts
outline and video
Practice essay
question 1
Riebe ch. 16
Practice essay
question 2
Practice essay
question 1
Practice MPT 1
Practice essay
question 2
Practice MPT 1
BarBri contracts
outline and video
In-class torts
essay exam
In-class MPT
Practice MBE 2
(key given)
*Number in parentheses indicates the point value for the assignment or in-class test.
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