For LL.M. and Exchange Students
Introduction to U.S. Law and U.S. Legal Research, Writing and Analysis I for LL.M. Students
All LL.M. students who received their first degree in law outside the United States will be enrolled in Introduction to U.S. Law and in U.S. Legal Research, Writing and Analysis I, unless they have been granted a waiver. Both classes will be held from Monday, August 13, 2012 through Friday, August 24, 2012. Enrolling students must attend a pre-orientation event on Sunday August 12, 2012. We are currently finalizing the schedule for these two classes. Please be aware that you should plan to be able to attend classes from 9:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. from August 13th to the 24th. There may be additional afternoon and evening hours on particular days.
Introduction to U.S. Law is an intensive introduction to the U.S. legal system that reviews the fundamentals of the U.S. legal system, including an overview of the U.S. Constitution, federalism, the structure and function of courts, sources of legal authority and common law methodology, and gives an overview of the standard first year curriculum in U.S. law schools.
U.S. Legal Research, Writing and Analysis I introduces students to legal research, writing and analysis. Students learn how to locate cases, statutes, scholarly articles and other legal source materials. They learn how to read and analyze legal opinions; check the validity of case citations and are introduced to proper Bluebook citation form. In addition, this course develops students’ skills in case briefing, course outlining and taking law school essay examinations through review and critique of a practice law school examination.
A final diagnostic essay examination in Introduction to U.S. Law identifies those students who, based on their examination grade, will be enrolled in U.S. Legal Methodology which focuses on research, writing, advocacy and negotiation in a U.S. legal environment. U.S. Legal Methodology is open (provided there is space) to all LL.M. students.
http://www.law.nyu.edu//graduateaffairs/introductiontouslaw/index.htm