This program begins in January. During the first semester, students focus on improving their English skills necessary for success in the LLM program. After successfully completing their first semester, students continue with their regular program of study, choosing courses from the School of Law's extensive course catalog based on their interests and career goals.
Intensive Legal English Course Descriptions
Introduction to Legal Communication and Writing
This course, specifically designed for foreign students enrolled in the Intensive Legal English + LLM program, helps develop U.S. legal reasoning, writing, and communication skills. Students learn how to read and analyze U.S. law, write summaries of legal opinions and statutes, and prepare legal correspondence. Students also receive training in professionalism and other essential communication skills. This course uses many activities including reading materials, lectures, in-class activities, writing exercises and assignments, and detailed individualized feedback. At the conclusion of this course, students should be able to read, synthesize, and summarize United States cases and statutes, both verbally and in writing.
Introduction to Legal Research
This course introduces U.S. legal research and to the sources of law. It focuses on the organization of legal information, the types of legal information, and how to find relevant information. Resources include electronic tools and some print sources, and students develop basic skills to understand what sources are appropriate for research, and what level of authority the sources have.
Oral Communication for LLM
This course refines oral communication skills of international students in the Intensive Legal English + LLM program. Speaking clearly and persuasively to a variety of legal and lay-audiences is an essential skill in law school and the practice of law. Students practice debating, leading, and participating in discussions related to the law, and preparing and delivering at least two formal presentations about cases. The course also focuses on role plays involving phone calls, interviews, mediation, and negotiation. Grammar and pronunciation lessons are presented, monitored, and edited both by the instructor and the students themselves. A principal component of the course is mastery of both general academic and legal vocabulary.
Reading and Writing for LLM
This course refines reading and writing skills of international students in the Intensive Legal English + LLM program. The course integrates reading comprehension with grammar and writing skill-building activities and assignments. Furthermore, the course provides a variety of reading materials to both expand students’ knowledge of English language legal terminology as well as foundational concepts relevant to the U.S. legal system. Students are introduced to varied writing styles with an emphasis on persuasion, argument, and critical analysis, and they are provided with opportunities to meet with their instructor and revise their written work.
