Instructor: James H. Donelan
Monday, Wednesday, 11:00-12:15, Enroll Code: 47001
Mondays: HSSB 1232
Wednesdays: Miramar Lab, Phelps 1526
Email: donelan@writing.ucsb.edu
Web Site: http://www.writing.ucsb.edu/faculty/donelan
Office: 1523 South Hall
Office Hours: Tuesday 9:00-10:00, Wednesday 9:00-10:00 or by appointment.
Texts: All books are available in the UCen Book Store.
Clapp, Random House Webster's Dictionary of the Law
Stark, Writing to Win (Writing)
Behrens, Making the Case (Making)
If you do not already own a basic writing handbook, please purchase one.
Computer Program:
ConnectWeb (purchase online for $20)
Program site: http://connectweb.com/ucsb.asp
This section is Writing 109L, 3.
Reader:
Available at Graphikart in Isla Vista (Reader)
Course Description: Practice in applying rules to facts in analyzing
issues and in writing clearly, succinctly and cogently in various forms
of legal discourse.
Requirements: The course requires regular attendance, active participation
in class discussion and activities, and timely completion of all assignments,
including case briefs and legal analysis. You will write a case brief, a
legal memorandum, an advocacy letter, an appellate brief, and several pre-writing
assignments. The relative value of these assignments and class participation
in determining your course grade is as follows:
In addition:
Syllabus
9/22
Introduction and Logistics
9/24
Class meets in the lab today.
Reading: Making, "Preface" xxii; Hricik, "The American Legal System"
2
Homework: Two-paragraph description of the structure of the American legal
system. Have the assignment available in class as either a Microsoft
Word or html file.
In-class: Introduction to ConnectWeb; comparison of descriptions
9/29
Reading: Making, Group 1 Readings, 419, Williams v. Ellington
, 476-478; Reader, Knowles v. Iowa and "Comprehensive Brief."
Homework: Summary of Williams v. Ellington
In-class: Case briefs
10/1
Class meets in the lab today.
Reading: Making, "IRAC" 59; Writing, Chapters 1-5
Homework: Thumbnail Brief of Knowles v. Iowa
In-class: Creating a comprehensive brief
10/6
Yom Kippur—Class is not mandatory today.
In-class: Reversal of Fortune
10/8
Class meets in the lab today.
Homework: Comprehensive Brief Due
In-class: Peer Review
10/13
Class meets in Davidson Library.
10/15
Class meets in the lab today.
Reading: Making, Stracher, "The Memo" 32; Reader, "Writing
the Memorandum"; Writing, Chapters 6-7.
Homework: Making, Writing Exercise 2, 83
In-class: Writing persuasive memos.
10/20
Reading: Making, Group 3 Readings, 456; Writing, Chapter
13
Homework: Draft of memorandum.
In-class: Editing and proofreading.
10/22
Class meets in the lab today.
Homework: Memorandum due.
In-class: Peer review of memoranda.
10/27
Readings: Making, "Broken Engagements" 487; Writing, Chapter
14
Homework: Write a brief, but persuasive letter for one side of a broken
engagement case.
In-class: Paragraph structure.
10/29
Class meets in the lab today.
Homework: Draft of advocacy letter.
In-class: Paragraph transitions and peer review.
11/3
Readings: Reader, "The Appellate Brief"
Homework: Advocacy Letter due.
In-class: Preparing an appeal.
11/5
Class meets in the lab today.
Readings: Reader, Amarin v. Maryland Cup briefs
Homework: Summary of Amarin arguments.
In-class: Work group formation; task lists and schedules.
11/10
Veterans Day Observed! No class!
11/12
Class meets in the lab today.
Readings: Reader, "Copyright Basics"
Homework: List of relevant cases.
In-class: Argument and strategy
11/17
Readings: Writing, Chapter 8
Homework: Outline of appeal.
In-class: Logic and argument
11/19
Class meets in the lab today.
Homework: First half of appeal draft.
In-class: Editing for clarity
11/24
Group Meetings.
11/26
Happy Thanksgiving!
12/1
Oral presentations
Homework: Second half of appeal draft.
In-class: Editing for rhetorical force
12/3
Class meets in lab today.
Final class.
12/8
Appellate brief due. Place a hard copy in my mailbox by 12:00 noon.