1. Karen Graziano, The Legal Profession Syllabus, 1-Credit Course Page 1 of 6
VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS & SCIENCES
THE LEGAL PROFESSION
KAREN GRAZIANO, J.D.
COURSE INFORMATION
 Course Number and Section: ASPD2002-001
 Course Meeting Time: 11:30am-12:45pm
 Location: Tolentine 317
 Office Hours: By Appointment
 E-mail Address: karen.graziano@villanova.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course introduces students to areas of law and legal paths available in firms, organizations, corporations,
non-profits, and government agencies through the use of the LexisNexis database, professional research
sources, readings, and informational interviews. Students will learn what it means to “think like a lawyer” as
they are introduced to hallmarks of the legal profession, including analysis and synthesis of legal issues and legal
writing. Through the coursework, students will gain a clear understanding of the role of a lawyer. They will learn
essential skills to understand and maneuver successfully through the law school application process by reading
and critiquing examples of recommendation letters, personal statements, and other required elements. They
will prepare for the process by drafting a personal statement and other essential pieces of the application
process, including a law-related resume and addendums. The skills necessary to help bridge the gap between
college and law school will be addressed to enable students to transition well to the challenges of law school.
COURSE LEARNING GOALS AND OUTCOMES
 Gain an understanding of different legal work environments: law firms, legal non-profits, organizations,
corporations, and government agencies.
 Learn how to use LexisNexis to conduct professional research.
 Develop your ability to target your writing for law admissions, including learning how to write persuasive
personal statements and letters to recommenders.
 Understand and practice writing as a process that includes prewriting, drafting, writing, rewriting, and editing.
 Become knowledgeable about the legal profession by interviewing legal professionals and law students.
 Learn skills to assist in the transition from college to law school.
 Understand the law school environment and culture.
 Understand the law school application process.
WRITING & READING ASSIGNMENTS
 You will write several memos, an informational interview, a personal statement, a letter to a recommender, a
final project, and two PowerPoints.
 You will submit background research as well as your brainstorming, outline, and edits.
 This class includes regular reading assignments such as legal journal articles and books.
 A student’s work must be original. A student’s work must be completed for and during this course. Written work
completed outside of the course and submitted for this course is unacceptable. (See Academic Dishonesty)
TEACHING METHODOLOGIES
 Methodologies include discussions, brainstorming/freewriting, writing, researching, individual conferences,
small group activities, peer evaluation, exercises, writing workshops, journal writing, and/or individual and
group presentations.
PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
 Each class requires student participation. Students are expected to lead class discussion.

2. Karen Graziano, The Legal Profession Syllabus, 1-Credit Course Page 2 of 6
ATTENDANCE POLICY
 Students are expected to attend every class and to be punctual. Attendance will be taken in each class.
 If a student misses any class time, he or she must notify the instructor and make up any missed work.
 If a student encounters an emergency situation or must miss class for an extended period of time, he or she
should contact the instructor immediately.
 Students are expected to attend and participate actively in each class.
 Because of the extensive feedback generated in the in-class workshops, attendance is vital to a student’s
success.
 Frequent, unexplained absences and tardiness will significantly affect the final grade. Any student who is absent
must contact the instructor to arrange make-up work at the instructor’s discretion.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
 Villanova University makes reasonable academic accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
 Services for students with physical disabilities are provided by stephen.mcwilliams@villanova.edu.
 The Learning Support Services office coordinates and provides services for students with disabilities that impact
learning.
 Students seeking accommodations for learning disabilities must first register with the Learning Support Office by
contacting 610-519-5636 or at nancy.mott@villanova.edu as soon as possible. Registration is required to receive
accommodations.
 Please contact me after class or during office hours to discuss accommodations.
LATE PAPER POLICY & MAKEUP POLICY
 Assignments are due at the beginning of the class period.
 Late papers will be downgraded up to one letter grade per class period.
 Any change in this policy must be arranged before the assignment due date.
 If a student is absent when an assignment is due, he or she must email the assignment to meet the deadline.
The student must bring a hard copy of the assignment to the next class.
 If a student misses any class time, he or she must make up the work. It is the responsibility of the student to
inquire about missed work.
ACADEMIC DISHONESTY & UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR: STUDENT ACCOUNTABILITY
 Submitting words or ideas of another without citing or attributing them to their author possibly constitutes
plagiarism. Plagiarized papers will receive a failing grade, and an individual submitting plagiarized work as his or
her own work will be subject to Villanova’s plagiarism policy. Further consequences include the possibility of
failing the course and/or further disciplinary action.
 Submitting work completed outside of this course will result in a failing grade.
 Students can use computers in class only when the professor specifically requires them to complete in-class
assignments.
 Class disruptions impede upon students’ ability to perform course goals successfully; therefore, if a student
disrupts class, he or she will be dismissed from class. The student will receive a zero for the class period that will
be calculated into his or her participation grade and final grade in the course. The student will be required to
complete a make-up assignment for the missed class and must contact the professor before returning to the
next class. Class disruptions may include talking, making phone calls, and text-messaging.
 Cell phones must be turned off while in class.
REQUIREMENTS FOR SUBMITTED PAPERS
 For each assignment, you will be required to submit the assignment either online through Blackboard or in class.
You will be advised which method to use to submit your assignments.
 For rewrites submitted in class, you must submit your essays in a two-pocket folder with your name printed
clearly in the upper right corner of the front cover.
 Use Times New Roman 11 pt. and identify the Word Count at the bottom of the page.
 Number your pages in the header as follows (in the right-hand corner): Name, The Legal Profession, Section …,
Draft 1, Page 1 of 2.
 You must indicate if the essay is Draft 1 or Rewrite 1.

3. Karen Graziano, The Legal Profession Syllabus, 1-Credit Course Page 3 of 6
 You must submit all brainstorming and edits with each paper.
 You must include your name and the essay number on every page of your essay.
 Your grade will be lowered if you do not submit papers following the above requirements.
 You must keep a copy of all work submitted.
 Papers will be submitted in class and through Blackboard.
REQUIRED TEXTS & COURSE MATERIALS
1. A Grammar Text -- Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. 4th
Edition. Boston: Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press,
1999. OR Easy Writer: Pocket Guide, Lunsford, 3rd
Edition, 2006.
2. Stropus, Ruta K. and Taylor, Charlotte D. Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School: Strategies for
Success. Durham, NC: Carolina Academic Press, 2nd
Edition, 2009.
3. Miller, Robert H. Law School Confidential: A Complete Guide to the Law School Experience: By Students, For
Students. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press, 3rd
Edition, 2011.
4. Moliterno, James E. and Lederer, Fredric Ira. An Introduction to Law, Law Study, and the Lawyer’s Role. Durham,
NC: Carolina Academic Press, 3rd
Edition, 2010.
5. Legal Journal Articles & News Articles – Available on the Lexis Database.
6. A good dictionary, e.g. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary.
7. Several two-pocket folders to submit essays.
8. A binder or folder to hold all writing and articles read during the course.
9. A ream of paper to print out articles from Blackboard or from Lexis.
10. A Flash Drive. (You are required to use a Flash Drive for presentations.)
EVALUATION PROCEDURE
The writing assignments will account for 85% of your final grade. The remainder of your final grade is based on your
active and consistent participation. Full & Complete Participation in ALL assignments, daily and long-term, is a significant
criterion in arriving at a final grade. To arrive at a final grade, the following will be weighted as shown:
85% Graded Writing Assignments & Presentations 15% Active & Consistent Participation
30% Memos on Project; Informational Interviews Clear Evidence of Completed Reading
30% Final Project on an Area of Law & Professional Positions Personal Statement/Recommendation
20% Presentation on an Area of Law & Professional Positions Discussions
5% Final Evaluation Memo
Note: The weighting criterion may change based on the students’ needs in this course and on revised strategies to better
meet course objectives.
BALLPARK PAPER-GRADING STANDARDS:
***WARNING: The Assignment Due Dates are provisional. Definite dates will be announced in class and/or distributed
over email or on the Blackboard Calendar. Also, the instructor reserves the right to make adjustments in this course to
better meet the needs of the students. GRADING CHART: A = 94-100; A- = 90-93; B+ = 87-89; B = 83-86; B- = 80-82; C+ =
77-79; C = 73-76; C- = 70-72; D+ = 67-69; D = 63-66; D- = 60-62; F = < 60
COURSE SCHEDULE:
CLASS #1: August 28th
Introduction: “Thinking Like a Lawyer” and Investigating the Legal Profession
 Topic: What is “thinking like a lawyer”?
 Areas of Law
 Legal Profession Research Project Introduction
 Personal Statement: Brainstorming
Assignments: Readings – Due Class #2
 Law School Confidential: Part One, xix-116

4. Karen Graziano, The Legal Profession Syllabus, 1-Credit Course Page 4 of 6
 An Introduction to Law, Law Study, and the Lawyer’s Role: Chapter 1: The Beginnings (pages 3-11), Chapter
2: The Profession (pages 13-33), Chapter 7: Law Library Survival (pages 141-146)
Assignments: Background – Due Class #2
 Complete the Introduction
 Complete the Brainstorming Exercise
 List of Questions: About Law School & Employment
CLASS #2: September 4
Legal and Professional Research: An Introduction to LexisNexis
 Learn how to use LexisNexis & Research an Area of Law
 Select an Area of Law to Conduct Professional Research
 Research Professions using Library and Career Center databases
The Law School Application Process: Understanding the Application Process, Role of LSAC, and Culture of Law
School & Evaluating Writing
 Explain the Application Process and the role of LSAC and the LSAT
 Evaluate Examples of Personal Statements and Recommendation Letters
 Brainstorming Exercise for Writing Letters to Recommenders and Personal Statement
Assignments: Readings: Due Class #3
 Law School Confidential: Part Two, 117-250
 Legal Profession Articles – On Blackboard
Assignments: Professional Research: Due Class #3
 Legal Profession Research Project: Part 1: Select an Area of Law To Research
 Legal Profession Research Project: Part 2: Select three current issues in that Area of Law, Describe the issues
in a Memo, and identify the key players (Agencies, Organizations, Corporations, Nonprofits, and Law Firms)
 Brainstorming for your Personal Statement and Letters to Recommenders
CLASS #3: September 11
Working in the Legal Profession - Guest Speaker
 Learn about the legal profession from a Judge’s perspective
 Gain insight about legal writing and research skills
Assignments: Readings: Due Class #4
 Law School Confidential: Part Three, 251-356
Assignments: Professional Research: Due Class #4
 Legal Profession Research Project: Part 3: Identify three internships and three full-time positions that relate
to that area of Law – Include the job descriptions.
 Legal Profession Research Project: Part 4: Identify 2 Attorneys to Interview – use GoNova, personal
networks, and/or legal journal articles to identify attorneys.
 Interview a law student about his/her experience.
***SPECIAL LEGAL EVENT: Mock Admissions: September 12 – 5:00pm-6:00pm
CLASS #4: September 18

5. Karen Graziano, The Legal Profession Syllabus, 1-Credit Course Page 5 of 6
Day in the Life of an Attorney
 Learn about the Work of an Attorney
Law School Application Process: Mock Admission Panel
 Conduct a Mock Admission Panel – Evaluate Examples of Applicants
Assignments: Readings: Due Class #5
 Law School Confidential: Part Four, 357-403
 Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School: Strategies for Success, Chapter 1: The Law School
Experience
Assignments: Law School Application: Due Before Fall Break!
 1st
Draft Personal Statement
 1st
Draft Letter to Recommender
Assignments: Law School Application: Due Class #6 (After Fall Break)
 Take-Home Evaluation: Complete in a Memo
****SPECIAL LEGAL EVENT: Pepper Hamilton Site Visit – 3:30pm-7:30pm
CLASS #5: September 25
Legal Employment
 Learn about Trends and Opportunities in Legal Employment from a Law School Career Director
CLASS #6: October 2
Law School Application Process: Evaluating Law Schools
 Evaluate Law Schools
 Understand use of Addenda
 Write an Effective Resume for Law School
 Communicate Effectively with Law Schools
Assignments: Readings: Due Class #7
 Legal Profession Research Project: Part 5: Complete 2 Interviews
Discussions
 Lead the discussion in the one of the following chapters:
o Chorowsky, Jack. Thinking Like a Lawyer. Volume 80, University of Detroit Mercy Law Review, page
43, Summer 2003. (80 U. Det. Mercy L. Rev 43) & Wegner, Judith. 2003 AALS Annual Meeting
Discussion: Better Writing, Better Thinking: Thinking Like a Lawyer, The Journal of the Legal Writing
Institute, Volume 10, Page 9, 2004. (10 Legal Writing 9)
o An Introduction to Law, Law Study, and the Lawyer’s Role:
 Chapter 3: The Nature of Law
 Chapter 4: Law as a Literary Profession
 Chapter 5: Common Law Development and the Classroom Experience
 Chapter 6: A Return to Judicial Interpretation
 Chapter 8: Client Service
 Chapter 9: Law School
o Bridging the Gap Between College and Law School: Strategies for Success:
 Chapter 2: Learning to Read and Brief Law School Cases
 Chapter 3: Effective Notetaking in Law School
 Chapter 4: Putting It Together, Part One: Synthesis
 Chapter 5: Putting It Together, Part Two: The Role of the Law School Outline

6. Karen Graziano, The Legal Profession Syllabus, 1-Credit Course Page 6 of 6
 Chapter 6: Putting It Together, Part Three: Flowcharting
 Chapter 7: Law School Examinations
 Chapter 8: Tips on Exam Preparation
 Chapter 9: Time Management
 Chapter 10: Additional Strategies for Success
 Chapter 11: Bridging the Gap as a 2L or 3L: What Else Can I Expect in Law School?
 Chapter 12: The Importance of Gaining Legal Experience
***MIDTERMS – WEEK OF October 8th – No Class
***FALL BREAK – Week of October 15th – No Class
CLASS #7: October 23
Professionalism & Legal Careers: How to Make the Most of Your Legal Education - Presentation
 Learn how to position yourself successfully in law school
 Learn how to manage your financial debt to ensure future satisfaction
Assignments: Project
 Work on Legal Profession Research Project: Part 6: (See Week 8)
 2nd
Draft Personal Statement
 2nd
Draft Letter to Recommender
Assignments: Due Class #8
 Legal Profession Presentation
 Legal Profession Research Project: Part 6: Write a final memo describing the area of law, issues in that area,
and professional positions that relate (within government agencies, law firms, organizations, and nonprofits)
o Include the following: Interviews of Lawyers and Legal Professionals, Information about the Current
Legal Issues Encountered in their office/organization, and Descriptions of Internships, Entry Level
Positions, and more Senior Level Positions. Answer the questions: What does a legal professional do
in that area of law in that organization/firm/agency? What specific Legal Issues does the legal
professional work on? Explain the legal issues.
CLASS #8: October 30
The Legal Profession: Transitioning from College to Law School
Assignments: Due Class #9
 An Introduction to Law, Law Study, and the Lawyer’s Role: Chapter 10: The Interrelationship Between Law
School and Law Practice
CLASS #9: November 6
Presentations – Present Research about Specific Legal Environments within an Area of Law and Interviews with
Legal Professionals
 PowerPoint Presentations
FINAL ASSIGNMENT:
Final Assignment Due – Submit on Blackboard
Professional Development Assignment: Attend 2 Professional Development Events & Write a Response- Submit
on Blackboard
Evaluation Memo of your Work in the Course