794P Judging and Clerking
August 2003
      The Honorable James L. Graham and Professor Douglas A. Berman

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Course Materials:
     !	Daniel John Meador, American Courts (2d ed. 2000)
     !	Louis J. Sirico, Judging: A Book for Student Clerks (2002)
     !	Class website and linked materials through Lexis at webcourses.lexisnexis.com

	A course syllabus/outline follows this memo, which provides an overview of the topics we will be covering and details each day’s reading assignment. 

Class Time and Participation:
     ! 	Class meets every day the week of August 11, from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon in Room 245.
     ! 	Attendance and participation are essential and will significantly impact final grades.

	We expect everyone to be prepared and ready to participate in class.  To facilitate discussions, we ask that each class member come to class with a written list of at least three discussion questions based on that day’s topics and/or readings.  This list of questions can be informal and will not have to be submitted; we expect during each class session to request students to present one or more of their questions in order to foster the class dialogue.

Final Paper and Grading:
     ! 	Completing a paper (at least 15 pages and due September 15) is a course requirement.
     ! 	Though we will suggest paper topics, the choice is ultimately yours (subject to our approval).
     ! 	On the last day of class, you will briefly present your topic to the class and submit an outline.

	All aspects of your performance in class and on the paper assignment will be factored into your final grade.  Stated in approximate percentages, your class participation performance (including your informal presentation and the feedback you provide others on their paper topics) will comprise about 40% of the final grade, the outline of your paper will be worth about 10%, and the final submitted paper will constitute about 50% of the final grade.  

Finding Professor Berman:	
     ! 	Room: 310
     ! 	Phone:  688-8690
     ! 	E-mail: Berman.43@osu.edu 

	We will try to be available immediately following our class meetings.  In the case of an absolute emergency, you may try to reach Professor Berman at home (760-8734) if you cannot find him at the College.