CAL NORTHERN SCHOOL OF LAW
SYLLABUS – SUMMER 2015 (Revised 5/14/15)
COURSE:
COURSE NO:
UNITS:
INSTRUCTOR:
Legal Research
Thursdays– 6:30pm -9:30pm
103
2
Brad Mahler
Office Hours: Immediately after class and by appointment
Contact Information:
Phone: (310) 283-6166
Email: brad@mahlerekland.com
AVAILABILITY: If you want to discuss any course-related matters, contact me at the e-mail
address above, I will make arrangements to come in before class to talk with you.
If you are having trouble with this course, it is imperative that you come in and talk with me. The
sooner I’m aware of your problem the sooner a solution can be developed and the more likely you are
to succeed in this course. If you have a disability that might affect your participation in this course
please discuss it with me as soon as possible.
REQUIRED TEXT: The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation. Cambridge, MA
Published and Distributed by the Harvard Law Review Association, 2010. Print.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce you to the basics of legal research, analysis
and writing. By the end of this course you should have a working knowledge of the main types of
research materials available in the state and Federal systems. You will also have written one research
memo in addition to several other projects. In the context of these primary and secondary materials we
will also discuss electronic research sources, and techniques.
COURSE GOALS AND STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Course Goals:
I.
Doctrinal Knowledge
a.
Substantive Law
b.
Underlying policy and jurisprudence
II. Critical Thinking
a.
Statute & Case Analysis – comprehending and evaluating arguments, comparing
and contrasting cases, and synthesizing law
b.
Problem Analysis – application of law to new factual contexts
c.
Problem Solving – creative thinking, analogizing, recognizing policy objectives
III. Communication Skills
a.
Oral/Written Communication – Ability to orally and/or in writing present factual
information and to persuasively argue the law as applied to facts.
Legal Research Syllabus Summer 2015
Page 1 of 3
IV. Professionalism
a.
Ethical obligations, appropriate demeanor, rules of civility
Student Learning Outcomes and Assessment Measures:
Specific student learning outcomes shall include the following:
1. Students will demonstrate an understanding of the rules and requirements of all substantive
areas of practice under California law.
2. Students will identify and explain underlying public policy concerns as it relates to the topic.
3. Students will demonstrate the ability to analyze cases and/or statutes.
4. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the law to new factual contexts using the
traditional IRAC format.
5. Identify the major sources of the law from each of the three branches of the Federal and state
governments.
6. Analyze and interpret the meaning of these laws.
7. Locate and utilize privately published law materials.
8. Apply a variety of law materials and sources to determine a possible resolution to fact-based
law problems.
9. Present the results of your research and analysis in an appropriately written document.
GRADING: Grading will be based on a straight percentage basis of all take-home assignments and
in-class exercises. Major errors will receive a one point deduction and minor errors will receive a
quarter point deduction. All written (non-multiple choice) assignments may be resubmitted for regrading (unless stated otherwise in the assignment itself). Full credit will be awarded for all correct
changes to your initial work. However, only resubmissions that address every suggested correction
will be re-graded. In other words if you re-submit an assignment and only make half of the
corrections that I suggest you will not receive any points back. You will have one week from when you
receive your graded homework to make corrections You can calculate this deadline by adding 168
hours to the exact time that I finished grading your assignment. I will deal with academic dishonesty
swiftly and severely
ASSIGNMENTS: NO LATE PAPERS OR ASSSIGNMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED. All
written assignments must be uploaded through Blackboard either as a PDF or DOC file. Assignments
which are uploaded on time but not as a PDF or a DOC file will be counted as late. If you cannot turn
your assignment in because of an emergency, you may be given additional time to turn in the
assignment only if you’ve contacted me before the assignment is due. No extra credit assignments
will be available at any time during or after the assignment to make up for missed assignments. I
recommend that all students make copies of all your assignments before turning them in and keep
copies of all your graded assignments.
IN-CLASS EXERCISES: You must be present in class at the time of the exercise to take advantage
of any points that may be available through these exercises; there will be no make-up opportunities
regardless of the reason for your absence during these.
Legal Research Syllabus Summer 2015
Page 2 of 3
ATTENDANCE: Regular and punctual attendance is required.
LEXIS’ BLACKBOARD LEARN: Enrollment in this class’ Blackboard Learn WebCourse page is
required. The majority of assignments in this class will be assigned and graded through Blackboard
Learn. Class slideshows will also be posted on Blackboard Learn.
SCHEDULE: The schedule is subject to change, so please make sure to listen for changes which
will usually be announced at the beginning of class.
DATE
MATERIAL
Week 1
May 14
Week 2
May 21
Week 3
May 28
Week 4
June 4
Week 5
June 11
Week 6
June 18
Week 7
June 25
Week 8
July 2
Week 9
July 9
Introduction
Week 10
July 16
Updating and Validating
ASSIGNMENT FOR NEXT WEEK
OBJECTIVES
II, III
Legal Writing and Analysis
Legal Analysis Assessment Due
II, III, IV
Legal Authority (Part I)
Policy Analysis Assessment Due
I, II, III, IV
I, II, III, IV
Legal Authority (Part II)
Reporters
Legal Authority Assignment Due
LRA I Due
I, II, III
Designing a Research Plan
I, II, III
Secondary Sources
I, II, III
Codified Law
I, II, III
Case Law
Legal Research Syllabus Summer 2015
FIRST DRAFT OF FINAL
ASSIGNMENT
III, IV
FINAL ASSIGNMENT DUE ON JULY
25th
III, IV
Page 3 of 3