Addressed are the questions of what factors other than intellectual ability influence achievement in law school, and whether these influences are felt differently by women and men. The study results indicate that, generally, women who see themselves as being "masculine" are more successful in law school. (JMD)

An exploratory study suggests that legal and medical training can have a negative impact on marriage: role behaviors learned during professional socialization and transferred to the spouse role are not conducive to a satisfying marital relationship, and student and spouse roles compete for time and personal commitment. (MSE)

The Land Development Law course at George Washington University is an approach to teach the basic concepts of land management and control through a "game" simulation. Instead of studying the law, students actively participate in a simulated real-life environment where they can practice and develop their legal skills. (MLW)

In recent years there has been a steady decline in the number of applications filed for full-time admission to American Bar Association-approved law schools. This study sought to determine what explains interinstitutional variation in application volume for the years 1993 to 1996. Using multivariate regression analysis, the study tested a…

Two studies of law students' attitudes and characteristics reveal some aspects of how the curriculum relates to their moral development, professional and general. It is suggested that law schools should focus on the development of role-taking skills and investigate the sequencing of courses. (MSE)

The interdisciplinary relevance of moral philosophy and developmental moral psychology to a paramount task of legal education--developing in students the capacity and readiness for ethical reasoning--is explored. The aim is to shape professional education so that professionalism is a fulfillment, not a denial, of students' moral nature. (MSE)

Role playing in first-year legal education can serve to teach doctrine and to encourage self-reflection and student cooperation. Role plays used to meet these goals in a contracts course include: a contract controversy, jury instructions and argument, mock appellate argument, negotiation, a trial, counseling, and legislating. (MSE)

Many states have limitations on the number of times a student may retake the bar exams, but a variety of preparatory techniques can increase chances of success: hypnosis, reduction of test anxiety, better studying techniques. (Journal availability: 1155 E. 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637, $1.00.) (MSE)

Administration of the Derogatis Stress Profile to 509 medical students, 380 law students, and 215 graduate students at McGill University (Ontario) revealed that medical students are not greatly stressed relative to other groups, so other explanations must be sought for elevated levels of depression in some. One clear stressor found is the…

Examines factors influencing socialization of foreign students enrolled in United States law schools. Discusses emotional problems commonly experienced by foreign law students and difficulties they may have in adjusting to American culture, finding a meaningful role in law student community, adjusting to and being socialized through law school…

The paper reviews and critiques the 13 existing (1987) law school assistance programs and proposes a national repayment-assistance debt-forgiveness program which would involve an income-contingent repayment "tax" coupled with an assurance to creditors of repayment by means of a "guarantee" or "insurance" fund. (DB)

Describes the development of a computer assisted instruction (CAI) package for use in teaching basic aspects of legal research. The discussion covers implementation of effective CAI techniques, identification of learning principles applicable to the design of the program, and the feasibility of converting practical aspects of learning principles…

Describes the benefits of racially diverse student bodies at law schools. A diverse legal profession enhances the appearance of justice and increases public confidence that the system is unbiased and accessible to all. Citizens cannot respect a system of justice that appears to perpetuate prejudice and exclude certain people from its…

Two models (exam and oral argument performance) to predict academic performance using ability, affective, and cognitive variables were evaluated using students in their first year of law school. Different processes appear to operate in each of the two academic tasks. The implications of the results for law school education and future research are…

This paper describes the background to and development of a first year undergraduate law module which has been re-designed to enable the embedding of Personal Development Planning (PDP) within the curriculum, with particular emphasis on career management skills. The pedagogic rationale for the approach adopted is identified and it is then…