Seminar Outline (Fall 2007)

Last updated: August 28, 2007         The most current version of this page is at: http://www.yorku.ca/jdavis/2007/information2007.shtml.

1. Seminar Name and Number

Intensive Legal Research & Writing (Law 3920.03)

2. Seminar Instructor

3. Seminar Information

a. Class Times

Classes are scheduled to be held every Tuesday, from 10:40 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in Room 001X, except for Tuesday, October 9, 2007, which has been deemed a Monday.

b. Seminar Purpose and Learning Objectives

Purpose of the Seminar: The purpose of this seminar is to provide students with the opportunity to refresh, update, enhance, broaden and diversify their legal research and writing skills and knowledge. Students will be able to analyse, cite and present authorities more cogently, accurately, and persuasively; and will be better able to utilize and apply a variety of legal research techniques, tools, resources, and concepts.

Specific Learning Objectives of the Seminar:
The specific objectives of this seminar are that students will be able to:

• identify and discover leading works, both on the web and in print, relating to the skills and knowledge involved in legal research and writing;
• demonstrate familiarity with internet communications, and database searching, as these relate to the retrieval of information and the assessment of its authenticity;
• identify the basic elements of a bibliographic description;
• locate and retrieve cited authorities;
• cite authorities in a manner consistent with the practice of reputable legal publishers;
• note-up authorities;
• demonstrate familiarity with commonly used controlled vocabularies for legal subjects, so as to
  • utilize indexes and classifications more effectively; and
  • organize authorities by topic more cogently for purposes of presentation;
• make informed use of English language dictionaries, grammars and style guides so as to enhance the readability of their written work;
• demonstrate an awareness of a number of issues specific to legal language;
• identify and retrieve, more efficiently, relevant cases, statutes and other legal works, and analyze and assess, more effectively, their authority and import;
• learn more about a number of categories, besides cases and statutes, of useful legal works which are published or otherwise accessible;
• become conversant with all the major formats and media used to publish legal information, including web sites, print, and microform;
• learn more about
  • the publishing and record-keeping practices of the major decision-makers, rule-makers, lobbyists, interest groups, etc.;
  • the publishing and business activities of the significant commercial and non-profit disseminators of information and libraries; and
  • the institutionalization and ethics of research activity in law firms, government and academia.

For a more detailed description of these objectives, refer to "Schedule of Classes and Topics" on the seminar website: http://www.yorku.ca/jdavis/2007/schedule2007.shtml.

c. Evaluation

Evaluation methods, including the dates and value for final grade of exams, assignments and papers: The only graded assignment (100%), consisting of a research paper (Part I) and accompanying research commentary (Part II), is due Monday, December 10, 2007, at 3:30 p.m. For additional information about the requirements for the graded assignment, and for information about additional ungraded learning assignments and due dates, refer to "Assignment Information and Schedule" on the seminar website: http://www.yorku.ca/jdavis/2007/evaluation2007.shtml.

Seminar specific policies: There is a penalty for lateness in handing in the graded assignment. Late papers will be lowered by one grade ranking (e.g. from B+ to B) for each 24 hour period of lateness. Once a paper has reached the bottom ranking for the class, it will be in the discretion of the instructor, considering all the circumstances, whether to assign a failing grade or otherwise. For additional information, refer to "Assignment Information and Schedule" on the seminar website: http://www.yorku.ca/jdavis/2007/evaluation2007.shtml.

Timing and method of feedback during seminar: Students will be asked to make periodic progress reports to the class relating to work on their assignments, for purposes of obtaining feedback and suggestions. Students are encouraged to discuss issues relating to the seminar content (as opposed to individual personal matters) in class, or on the seminar website: http://osgoode.yorku.ca/johndavis. When the instructor considers that matters which have been discussed individually would be of interest to others in the class, a summary may also be posted on the seminar website. This is so that all students can benefit from the discussion.

Method of providing feedback following the release of grades: Students are welcome to meet individually with the instructor to review the assignment and the instructor's grading notes.

d. Content Information

Required and Suggested Seminar Materials: No materials are required or suggested to be purchased by students for this seminar. The assigned and suggested readings are available on the web or in libraries. Refer to "Schedule of Classes and Topics" on the seminar website: http://www.yorku.ca/jdavis/2007/schedule2007.shtml.

Overview of Seminar: The major topics are scheduled as follows:

Reading Schedule: For the readings, and for additional details of the topics to be covered, refer to "Schedule of Classes and Topics" on the seminar website: http://www.yorku.ca/jdavis/2007/schedule2007.shtml.

4. Osgoode and York Academic Policies

a. Academic Honesty and Integrity

Osgoode students are required to maintain high standards of academic integrity and are subject to the York Senate Policy on Academic Honesty and the relevant Osgoode Academic Rules. The Senate Policy can be found at http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=69. The York University academic integrity website can be found at http://www.yorku.ca/academicintegrity.

The Senate Policy and Osgoode Academic Rules are also found in the Student Handbook, which is available from the Office of Student Services and on the myosgoode website.

b. Religious Observance

York University is committed to respecting the religious beliefs and practices of all members of the community, and making accommodations for observances of special significance to adherents. Should any of the dates relating to examinations or assignments for this seminar pose such a conflict for you, please let me know within the first three weeks of class. Please note that to arrange an alternative date or time for an examination scheduled in the formal examination periods, students must complete an Examination Accommodation Form, which can be obtained from the Office of Student Services at Osgoode Hall Law School.

c. Students with Disabilities

York University has a range of resources to assist students with physical, mental, psychiatric and learning disabilities in achieving their educational objectives. Students with disabilities requiring accommodation in the classroom or in the examination or evaluation process are encouraged to identify themselves to the Osgoode Office of Student Services as soon as possible. All requests for accommodation will be kept confidential. Request for examination accommodation must be approved by the Assistant Dean (Student Services), Gina Alexandris.

d. Other York University Policies

Further information concerning relevant York University academic policies, such as the Ethics Review Process for research involving human participants is available on the Senate Committee on Curriculum & Academic Standards webpage (see Reports, Initiatives, Documents) - http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate_cte_main_pages/ccas.htm.

information2007 Copyright © 2007 John N. Davis