1L Class Schedule and a few cases to read between now and Sep

[beaner2017 11]

Looking for some insight:

1.  What will one's 1L timetable will look like? 

2. What are some good/relevant/interesting cases and/or other things to read going into 1L (be it important cases covered in 1L courses and/or things people have found interesting and worth a read related to law) 

Thanks  

 

[Inconspicuous 191]

53 minutes ago, beaner2017 said:

Looking for some insight:

1.  What will one's 1L timetable will look like? 

2. What are some good/relevant/interesting cases and/or other things to read going into 1L (be it important cases covered in 1L courses and/or things people have found interesting and worth a read related to law) 

Thanks  

 

https://law.queensu.ca/sites/webpublish.queensu.ca.lawwww/files/files/JD Studies/Timetables/2017 First Year Timetable.pdf

[scoobysnacks 3]

what would a typical first year schedule look like? 5-7 hours of class/ day?

Edited March 21, 2018 by scoobysnacks

[3rdGenLawStudent 219]

https://law.queensu.ca/sites/webpublish.queensu.ca.lawwww/files/files/JD Studies/Course Information/2018-2019 First Year Timetable.pdf

The link above gives the class schedule for next year. You individual schedule will vary depending on what section you are in. Typically, you're looking at anywhere from 3-7 actual class hours in a day, but no one ever has a perfectly back to back schedule. Classes can start anywhere between 9:30-11:30 am, and people end as early as 2 and as late as 5:30. Depends on the day, the section, and the term. 

 On most days, you'll have at least a 1.5 hour gap between classes, where most people fit in tutoring sessions, readings, coffee breaks, lunch, etc. Sometime you'll end up with longer 3 or 4 hour gaps. Most people try to stay on campus for these gaps, and study or do work in the Learning Commons (our law-students only study space). The nice thing is, everyone else in your section has the exact same schedule, so you can hang out during breaks and do readings or chat about class or just unwind.

A note about the link above: you won't get sorted into sections until the summer, so this schedule gives you an idea, but no certainty, and calling the law school won't help, they haven't even started sorting people into sections yet. Also, professors for the classes aren't set in stone. I'm a 1L and our changed a lot due to professor life circumstances. 

[3rdGenLawStudent 219]

On 3/21/2018 at 10:35 AM, beaner2017 said:

2. What are some good/relevant/interesting cases and/or other things to read going into 1L (be it important cases covered in 1L courses and/or things people have found interesting and worth a read related to law) 

 

This is nearly impossible to answer, for a few reasons. First of all, there are fewer 'staple' law school cases than you imagine. Professors have different ideas about how to teach a given area of law, and so some assign different cases, or order them differently, than others. Also, the profs all assume no one knows how to read cases and pick out rules when you first start, so the first couple weeks are spent really guiding you through the process. They do this by assigning simpler cases, and doing a bit of hand holding with the principles. This ties to my third point- many cases deal with more than one legal issue. But a professor may very well have you read excerpts, because they only care about the decision for one particular issue. If you try to read ahead, not only will you be unlikely to guess the right cases to read, you might become confused by a dense case, that ultimately some professor is going to boil down for you into 1 issue. So reading a bunch of cases to 'prep' beforehand is likely going to confuse you.

That said, if you just want to read case law for pleasure, maybe keep an eye on what the Supreme Court is doing, read some of their judgements. It'll make you aware of some leading issues in the current legal world, and give you some exposure to legal writing. You could also try out one of the many legal podcasts out there. Both of those will be better than trying to get a 'head start' on readings.

[beaner2017 11]

On 3/24/2018 at 1:26 PM, 3rdGenLawStudent said:

This is nearly impossible to answer, for a few reasons. First of all, there are fewer 'staple' law school cases than you imagine. Professors have different ideas about how to teach a given area of law, and so some assign different cases, or order them differently, than others. Also, the profs all assume no one knows how to read cases and pick out rules when you first start, so the first couple weeks are spent really guiding you through the process. They do this by assigning simpler cases, and doing a bit of hand holding with the principles. This ties to my third point- many cases deal with more than one legal issue. But a professor may very well have you read excerpts, because they only care about the decision for one particular issue. If you try to read ahead, not only will you be unlikely to guess the right cases to read, you might become confused by a dense case, that ultimately some professor is going to boil down for you into 1 issue. So reading a bunch of cases to 'prep' beforehand is likely going to confuse you.

That said, if you just want to read case law for pleasure, maybe keep an eye on what the Supreme Court is doing, read some of their judgements. It'll make you aware of some leading issues in the current legal world, and give you some exposure to legal writing. You could also try out one of the many legal podcasts out there. Both of those will be better than trying to get a 'head start' on readings.

Thanks very much - was more so looking for things within the realm of legal "general interest"! Can you suggest a podcast?

[PurpleGael 51]

52 minutes ago, beaner2017 said:

Can you suggest a podcast?

Check the thread linked below. Lots of podcast discussion. 

 

Edited March 26, 2018 by PurpleGael