The First-Year Law School Curriculum
Descriptions of Common 1L Courses and How to Suceed
Aug 20, 2008
Though law schools do differ slightly, the first-year curriculum is usually very similar across the board. If not required in the first year, these courses will generally be required at some point in law school, and sometimes a second semester will be a requirement.
Study Contracts in Law School
Contracts is very frequently a fall semester course, because it is straightforward and a good introduction to law school. It is also one of the most difficult subjects. This course addresses how a contract is made, what makes a contract legally binding, and other elements of the process of making legal agreements. Applying facts to law is crucial here. Contracts law is largely settled and based on older court cases, but students will likely need to be able to use some provisions of the Uniform Commercial Code as well.
The Torts Course
This is another very straightforward course, but one whose name tends to mystify those who haven't yet started law school. A tort is defined by what it is not – not a crime, not a contract. It is a legal wrong not based on a contract, and it is the category under which many civil suits fall. Examples include anything from products liability to assault to negligence in a car accident. This is another class that relies heavily on cases, as well as the Restatement, because much of torts law is evolving. It is crucial, therefore, to use up-to-date study guides.
Property Ownership and Transfer
This course deals with property ownership, as well as a lot of property transfer. Though most schools offer an entire class on what happens to property when someone dies, called Trusts & Estates or Wills & Estates, first-year property also covers those topics heavily. It is another area where the law is relatively settled, so most of the law comes from old cases.
Civil Procedure
This course covers what happens over the course of a civil suit. It is a very logical, linear course, based heavily on the Federal Rules for Civil Procedure, which are a lawyer's manual for what to do in a civil case. The best way to do well is to be very familiar with the rules and where to find them, especially if there is an open book exam.
Criminal Law
The focus of criminal law courses may vary, as criminal law is largely governed by statute. Professors may use the criminal statutes of the state where the school is located, or may focus on the Model Penal Code. The course may be topical or may focus more generically on elements of a crime. This is a place where a professor may very well be looking for student opinions, but it is also a good idea to memorize legal rules and clearly understand the differences between different parts of a crime.
Constitutional Law
Schools often divide constitutional law in half, with one section focusing more on federalism and the other on individual rights. Usually, the 1L portion will be the federalism portion, focusing on the body of the Constitution and the relationship between states and the federal government. It may not be as "fun" or controversial as students expect, but is an essential basis.
Legal Writing
Most schools have some sort of course that focuses on legal writing, research, and/or advocacy. Schools all have different names, but the course will usually focus on how to find information in the library or online, how to write memos and briefs, and how to make an oral argument. These skills are crucial for anyone practicing law, though the course can be tedious. It is a good idea to complete assignments early, before the major exam crunch, if possible.
The best strategy in the first year is to find links between all these courses, develop legal skills, and match the skills learned for legal writing to the skills needed for exams. Students can take advantages of workshops and other opportunities sponsored by the academic or career offices to learn general skills and pull it all together, which has the added benefit of carrying the law school curriculum over to the work experience.
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