Learning Outcomes with Draft Performance Indicators

Learning Outcomes and Performance Indicators for the J.D. Program

Learning Outcome / Performance Indicators: Students will demonstrate achievement by doing the following:
  1. Demonstrate foundational knowledge and understanding of substantive and procedural law.
/ a)Students will demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental terms, rules, doctrine, and principles of law, in all required courses and in a variety of elective courses.
b) Students will articulate the procedural framework within which issues have previously been decided by lower courts or by the appropriate administrative body or other relevant forum or fora.
c)Students will recall and articulate the relevant legal rules, principles, and doctrines used by lower and appellate fora, for application to the facts at hand
  1. Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively in the legal context, in writing and orally
/ a)Students will demonstrate the ability to write in a clear, concise, well-organized, and professional manner appropriate to the audience and context.
b)Students will demonstrate the ability to speak in a clear, concise, well-organized, and professional manner appropriate to the audience and context
d)All communications demonstrate the use of standard rules of grammar, spelling, and citation.
  1. Demonstrate basic legal research, legal analysis, legal reasoning and problem-solving skills.
/ a)Students will demonstrate theability to identify thelegal issues raised in actual and hypotheticalscenarios.
b)Students will demonstrate the ability to findrelevantlegal authoritiesand to synthesize controlling rules, doctrine, principles, and policies from those authorities.
c)Students will demonstrate the ability to discoverthe factsin actual and hypothetical scenariosthat are relevantto the application of significantlegal rules, principles, and policies.
d)Students will demonstrate the ability to apply relevant rules, doctrine, principles, and policiesto actual andhypothetical facts, the abilityto assessthe strengths and weaknessesof a legal argument,and the abilityto draw appropriate conclusions.
e)Students will demonstrate the abilityidentify and pursue optimal outcomes when representing actual or hypothetical clients or otherwise solving a legal problem.
  1. Demonstrate the ability to exercise proper professional and ethical responsibilities to clients and to the legal system.
/ a)Students will demonstrate an understanding of the rules, laws and other authorities that govern the legal profession and the practice of law.
b)Students will demonstrate the ability to recognize and identify professional and ethical dilemmas when present in actual or hypothetical scenarios.
c)When presented with a professional or ethical dilemma in an actual or hypothetical scenario, students will demonstrate the ability to formulate and articulate one or more possible resolutions that will result in an appropriate outcome.
  1. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the lawyer’s professional responsibility to advance the mission of service to the underrepresented so that all individuals have equal access to the privileges of our justice system
/ a)Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the vast unmet need for legal services and the lawyer’s role and responsibility in addressing that need, including an understanding of the impact on unrepresented individuals of not having a lawyer to assist in gaining access to the justice system.
b)Students will demonstrate an understanding of the importance of communicating and engaging with the larger legal and non-legal community about the need for legal services and equal access to justice.
c)Students will demonstrate a commitment to advance the mission of service to underrepresented individuals and to equal access to justice through successful participation in faculty supervised legal clinics, public interest or public service field placements, or in pro bono projects, volunteer positions, or through other experiences serving the underserved community and the legal profession.
  1. Demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to be competent and effective lawyers in a multicultural world.
/ a)Students will demonstrate understanding of the self-reflection habits that lead to awareness of social and cultural differences.
b)Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding about the potential impact that difference, privilege, and culture have on the ability to be an effective lawyer.
c)Students will demonstrate sensitivity regarding difference, privilege, and culture in communications between lawyers and others
d)Students will demonstrate an ability to recognize bias and/or prejudice in the organization and operation of our legal system, and will demonstrate an understanding of methods that can be used to avoid or correct the bias/prejudice.