Relates bibliographic instruction concepts to the teaching of legal research at the undergraduate level and describes a conceptual framework for teaching legal research and critical thinking skills to a journalism class. Legal research instruction for law students is also described, the expected retention level is considered, and the librarian's…

This article argues that the culture and practice of legal education in the United States functions to dehumanize law students and potentially produce one-dimensional lawyers in the service of corporate interests and the capitalist status quo. These lawyers are trained to serve not only as the guardians of legal rights, social entitlements and…

Perspectives of a law school advisor on the advising role as seen by the student and the law school and issues that are relevant to student needs are presented. Questions that students frequently ask the law school advisor and the legitimacy of the advisor as a screener in getting students accepted into law schools are discussed. Concern over the…

The law is seen as the single most powerful social force preserving and legitimating the prevailing distribution of power in U.S. society. Questions of social justice ought not to be irrelevant or peripheral to the study of law. Meaningful and enduring change in legal education is seen as illusory. (MLW)

The traditional practice of training lawyers in an academic setting only is challenged, and it is proposed that an apprenticeship or field experience element be added. The responsibility for this lies with both the academic and legal communities. Available from Ohio Northern University, 525 S. Main St., Ada, OH 45810; $5.00. (MSE)

In order to give direction to his career and specifically to his remaining year of law school, the author, a law student at Emory University, interrupted his schooling to spend a year in self-selected legal clerkships. His experiences and a discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of such a program are presented. (JMD)

It is argued that the Socratic method of teaching law as depicted in the book, movie, and TV series "Paper Chase" is not really the Socratic method at all. The genuine Socratic method and the questioning technique used in "Paper Chase" are examined and their appropriateness and effectiveness as methods for teaching contract law…

The trend in rising tuitions at law schools is documented as is the increasing reliance of students on loans to finance their legal education. Among concerns raised are that the need to "hustle" to make ends meet will present problems in maintaining standards of professionalism. (DB)

Reports on the 1991 annual meeting of the American Association of Law Libraries (AALL). Topics discussed include the level of legal research skills needed by law students; computer-assisted legal research; education for law librarianship; the need for international and foreign law specialists; and recruitment, especially of qualified minorities.…

Small-group learning, it is suggested, has several benefits for law students that they cannot otherwise obtain. The work of scholars in the social sciences can help to better understand ways in which to structure and facilitate the use of small groups in the law school curriculum. (Author/MLW)

Describes need for more Native Canadian lawyers and law students. Explains socioeconomic causes for Native underrepresentation in legal profession. Argues that law admissions policies and requirements for Native students are culturally biased and suggests admission reforms. Describes Program of Legal Studies for Native People at University of…

This report proposes an approach to formalize the law school admission process by first requiring law schools to delineate the characteristics they want their incoming classes to possess (e.g., types of undergraduate major, percent of in-state versus out-of-state residents, and levels of cultural diversity). These are then used as constraints on…

The law review, it is suggested, is a species of publication that exists primarily to be written, not to be read. How the institution came into being, how a law review actually functions, and the consequences of the dominant law review pattern for legal education and the profession are examined. (Author/MLW)

Describes an approach to teaching first-year law students in an English for academic purposes course on how to write the academic genre of the legal problem answer. Offers students rhetorical tools to translate legal reasoning moves into effective written response to legal problems. The dovetailing of language and content involved considerable…

Profiles Native American graduates of tribal colleges who are now in law school at Arizona State University (ASU). Describes the ways in which tribal colleges prepared these students for the demands of graduate education. (NB)