Graded

Well, this was the big week. After more than a month of wondering just exactly how I did in my first semester of law school, I found out my grades. Am I happy with the grades I got? Well, no. I didn't make all A's so this was not a great semester. I'm not being greedy or anything, but I'm a perfectionist (a major character flaw). I strive to be perfect and to be the best. And I wasn't perfect. As I have told Hayley (and anyone else that has asked), some grades I've seen before in my college/high school/middle school career; others I haven't. But all things considered, the grades will just have to do. They aren't going to kick me out (yet...) so I should just "keep the wagons moving".

Now, my professors got the opportunity to assess my performance during the last semester. I cannot say that I had the same opportunity. (Let's face it, those evaluations that you fill out mean absolutely nothing. In fact, in one of my classes, crim law ::shudder shudder::, the professor stood there and watched us fill them out. He gave us 2 minutes to do them. He's old: really old. He's been there so long that nothing that those evaluations say will have any bearing on him. It's called tenure folks.)

I realize that everything that I say here regarding my classes will have the same effect as those stupid evaluations. But I need vindication, damn it! So I am going to take this opportunity to turn the tables and grade my professors and classes. Each class will be graded along 4 lines: course potential, usefulness of class time, usefulness of textbook and an overall grade.

Here we go in alphabetical order.

Civil Procedure

Course potential: B+

I didn't really know what this course was all about going into it. I saw civil and I figured it had something to do with non-criminal matters. I was right. Essentially, the course sought to inform one the general federal rules as they apply to civil litigation. Litigation is not my bag, but it also went through and described the things you must consider when choosing a court, the type of law to apply, etc.

Usefulness of class time: A

Going to class was important. The professor did an outstanding job explaining concepts and how they applied to hypotheticals. He took added time to answer questions (including student hypotheticals) and did his utmost to get us to understand what was going on. The professor told relevant life experiences which were often amusing, which is a big plus.

Usefulness of textbook: A-
This did not seem like a typical law school textbook. Of course I'm only basing this off of 5 textbooks (given this was my first semester and only had 5 classes...). But it didn't simply rely on cases to transmit the concepts we were supposed to learn. Instead, it had additional commentary which explained what the case was trying to say and how it applied to other cases. It was pretty darn beneficial. In fact, I would say this was the most beneficial book that I bought last semester. It was actually worth the $130 I paid (and the $13 I received back for it...).

Overall grade: A

Like I said, I didn't know what to expect and I am not interested in litigation. However, the course was very rule-based which is good for a tax accountant. I like that kind of structure. Additionally, it provided insight into how one goes about choosing a court, what law will apply, and how to use the established rules as a weapon.

Contracts I

Course potential: B

This course is related to instruments that everyday people use everyday. It's practical significance to the normal person is the source of its potential.

Usefulness of class time: B+

This was not the standard "recitation" class. Sure the professor expected you to do the daily reading and sure, he called on people randomly, but he did not grill you or treat you like a moron. He took some time to explain some of the concepts and how to apply them to hypothetical situations. It did help that he was witty and made many of the classes entertaining. Plus the class was only an hour long.

Usefulness of textbook: C-
You are going to see a pattern develop in this area. The textbook was simply a book with many contracts cases in it. The idea is that you learn the concepts the established case law. This is a bad idea. No two cases are the same; similarly, no concept is applied to two cases in the same manner. It is completely dependent on how the judge wants to rule. It would have been more useful to learn rulings by judge.

Overall grade: B+

This area of the law was one of the more interesting (at least I found). I feel as though I actually learned something in this class and didn't simply have to make stuff up in an effort to successfully pass the final. I must reiterate that the practical nature of the course boosted the grade that it received.

Criminal Law

Course potential: A

Think about it. Blood, guts, murder and mayhem. This is the class that we read about every day. So and so murdered another. So and so broke into a car. So and so killed a federally protected bird. I'm not all about the gory stuff, but this is what you hear about every day in the news. This class had the potential of providing a comprehensive understanding of just what the newspapers are talking about when you read of someone committing a crime. It had the potential to provide an understanding of just where that line is in the realm of criminal law. It had so much potential, except...

Usefulness of class time: F
There was no point going to class. The professor didn't teach anyone anything. It really was a waste of time and a complete shame. Yeah there was recitation, but it was not random. You knew when you were going to be called on. You didn't have to do the reading otherwise (not that it would have done you any good. See below for more). The professor clearly knew what he was talking about, but he didn't let any of us in on what was going on. Instead, he encouraged us to read supplemental information. You did not need to be in class at all. I would have been better served catching up on my sleep (which I may have done a few times...) than sitting there in class.

Usefulness of textbook: F/B+
I know what you're thinking: how can you give an F AND a B+ for a class's textbook? Well, here's the answer. The professor required us to get two books. One was a standard law school case book. It was full of cases that taught you nothing. It was the book I opened for the first two days of class before I learned that it was pointless. It was also the book that he expected us to read 50+ pages out of for each class. Not possible. This book got an F.

Then there was the supplemental book that he required us to read. This book was probably my saving grace. Without this book, I do not pass. It was not a case book. It was a "black and white" description of the law. It explained concepts and described how they applied to scenarios. It was the book that I could have read in lieu of going to class and still passed the course. Come to think of it, I basically did read it in lieu of going to class. Yes, I was physically present in class. But mentally I was merely honing my "Maj Jong Tiles" abilities.

Overall grade: D------------

As I said, it was a miracle that I passed this class. If it weren't for the supplemental book, I don't know what I would have done. The shame in this class is that I spent my time and money attending a class where I was supposed to be taught something. Instead, I had to spend my time and money to attend a class AND THEN teach myself everything I needed to know on my own time when I had other things to do. The only suggestion I got to put down on my course evaluation for this course was that they do away with class time. Instead, they should have the students read the supplement and show up to take the final.

Legal Research & Writing I

Course potential: C

You're learning how to "write". A whole semester on that. All you're reallying "learning" is the format that you're supposed to write in for law school classes. There just wasn't much interest or potential for this class.

Usefulness of class time: A

It was here that we learned what we needed to learn. The professor was awesome. He knew that this was not the most exciting class, but he did a great job of dressing it up.

Usefulness of textbook: F
What? There were textbooks for this class? I had no idea!

Overall grade: B-

I'm giving it a B- over a C+ solely on the fact that the professor entertained us while we were there. The humor and wit that was infused into the class lessons enabled us to learn while allowing the class time to pass quickly.

Torts I

Course potential: D

I've already said it a couple of times so I won't beat a dead horse. Civil litigation is not my thing and does not strike my fancy. I don't care about suing another person because they said you smell. I don't care about suing another person for jumping out and saying "Boo!". I don't agree with these frivolous lawsuits that have the effect of ruining the lives of others because they have a judgment against them that they cannot pay. The fact that I have to go through two semesters of learning how to sue someone else is just plain boring. Fortunately, I made it through the first half.

Usefulness of class time: B-

Here's the thing: my torts professor was smart. Very smart. She knew what she was talking about. The problem was that she asked questions that no one understood. If we didn't understand the question, we could not understand the answer. It was a vicious circle. That said, the professor did a great job of taking extra time to explain the concept or idea several different ways in order for us to understand it. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. She also took time of her own to meet with us outside of class in review sessions to enhance our understanding.

Usefulness of textbook: C-
Just a standard law school textbook. Too many cases explaining too few concepts.

Overall grade: C-

You probably gathered from the "Course potential" grade above that this course was one of my least favorites. Again, it was the fact that you're learning all the little ways to go about suing someone else. Just not my thing.