preparing for law classes

PREPARING FOR LAW CLASSES

Orientation 2013

YOU ARE HERE

CONSIDER YOUR ASSETS

1. Strong academic background

2. Strong reading and study skills

3. Motivation, drive, personal initiative

4. Willingness to work hard

SOON YOU WILL BE HERE, READING

OR SOMEWHERE ELSE, READING

How much will you read?

- hundreds of pages each semester

What will you read?

- mostly court decisions and statutes

How long will this take?

- at least 2 hours for each hour of class, including note taking and other class preparation

ACTIVE READING

Think about context Question what you read Evaluate what you read Review what you’ve read

THINK ABOUT CONTEXT

Where does this case fit in?

How does it connect to your previous knowledge?

Which court decided the case?

CONTEXT

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS

1. Chapter 1 – Overview of Employment and the law

2. Chapter 2 – Who is an Employee and Who Is an Employer

3. Chapter 3 – Selection of Employees

4. Chapter 4 – Compensation and Benefits

5. Chapter 5 – Workplace Safety and Health

6. Chapter 6 – Management and Supervision of the Workforce

7. Chapter 7 – Accommodating Personal, Family, and Civic Needs

8. Chapter 8 – Employment Security

9. Chapter 9 – Protecting the Employer’s Interests

10. Chapter 10 – Resolution of Employment Disputes

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 8 Employment Security A. Introduction

B. Overcoming the Presumption

C. Alternative Job Security Schemes

D. Mitigating the Impact of Termination of Employment

1. The Employee’s Reputation: Defamation and Stigmatization

2. Unemployment Compensation a. An Overview of the Unemployment Compensation System

b. Disqualification by Misconduct

Greenberg v. Director, Employment Security Dept.

Perry v. Gaddy

Notes and Questions

CHAPTER 8 EMPLOYMENT SECURITY D. Mitigating the Impact of

Termination of Employment

2. Unemployment Compensation a. An Overview of the Unemployment Compensation System

b. Disqualification by Misconduct Greenberg v. Director, Employment Security Dept.

Perry v. Gaddy Notes and Questions

QUESTION WHAT YOU READ

Who are the parties? What do they dispute? What happened in the lower court? What did the appeals court decide? Why did the court decide this way?

EVALUATE WHAT YOU READ Was the decision correct? Which facts or rules were most important?

What policies were at stake? How broad or narrow is the holding?

REVIEW WHAT YOU’VE READ What is the structure of the rule and/or related rules?

Where does this decision fit into the larger area of law?

What new facts will trigger this rule? Which will not?

ACTIVE READING

Think Question Evaluate Review

RESOURCES

Your Professors The Academic Enhancement Program, Moji Olaniyan

The Director of Student Life, Mike Hall