Yearlong classes? Forum

[DC_Patent_Law]

Does anyone go to a school that has yearlong first year classes? What's your take on it? I know one person who had yearlong classes and hated it because it dragged on too long.

[DC_Patent_Law]

bump

[DC_Patent_Law]

Wow, no one taking yearlong classes?! I know Loyola still has yearlong classes and UT used to.

[kalvano]

Yes, most of SMU's first-year classes run for the full year. Contracts, Property, Civ Pro, Legal Writing, and Torts. Crim Law is only one semester, and it switches with Con Law the following semester. It's pretty miserable. It allows the professors to ramble on and spread everything out instead of forcing them to be succinct. Plus, you just get burnt out on taking the same subject for so long.

That said, it shouldn't be the deciding factor in where you go to school.

[DC_Patent_Law]

Yes, most of SMU's first-year classes run for the full year. Contracts, Property, Civ Pro, Legal Writing, and Torts. Crim Law is only one semester, and it switches with Con Law the following semester. It's pretty miserable. It allows the professors to ramble on and spread everything out instead of forcing them to be succinct. Plus, you just get burnt out on taking the same subject for so long.

That said, it shouldn't be the deciding factor in where you go to school.

Thanks. Between two schools that are substantially similar, would it be a deciding factor?

[cinephile]

If I were deciding between two schools that were similar in terms of cost, placement, and location, then I would pick which social atmosphere I liked best or which school had prettier facilities. Classes, yearlong or otherwise, wouldn't be a deciding factor for me.

[Shammis]

LLSer here. Some ppl here like it and some dont. The first semester final is treated as a mid term - and the second semester Final is usually worth more of your grade - then both are used to calculate ure overall grade.

So for Civ Pro - it was 30%, then 70%. The final tally is then applied to both semester's units. hth.

I like it b/c i can improve upon a lackluster 1st semester CivPro grade.

[kalvano]

In light of that, I should clarify that my classes had no midterms. One grade in the fall for 100%, another in the spring for 100%.

[DC_Patent_Law]

LLSer here. Some ppl here like it and some dont. The first semester final is treated as a mid term - and the second semester Final is usually worth more of your grade - then both are used to calculate ure overall grade.

So for Civ Pro - it was 30%, then 70%. The final tally is then applied to both semester's units. hth.

I like it b/c i can improve upon a lackluster 1st semester CivPro grade.

Thanks. That's what I figured as well, that a first bite at the apple will help you re-calibrate. How many classes at LLS are yearlong? I'm actually deciding between LLS and USD. Thanks

@Cinephile: I agree, atmosphere makes a huge difference since I'll be spending a ton of time at school/libraries etc.