L.A.W. Policies

Honor Code and Procedure (What's What: Student Handbook)

A. GRADING PHILOSOPHY:

Legal Analysis and Writing is a required course in which students do not receive a letter grade. Some students ask why there is no grade for a course with so much work. There are many reasons why Legal Analysis and Writing is a Credit/No Credit course, unlike other first year courses. Most importantly, reasoning and writing are the most fundamental skills a lawyer possesses. Consequently, all students are expected to reach a level of competency expected of practicing lawyers. This makes the ranking of students unnecessary. Students would be disadvantaged to be graded on a curve, when all students have the opportunity to achieve excellence.

The demands of law school can at times be exceedingly stressful. In such times, some students may be tempted to let slide a course that is "only pass/fail." We encourage you to remember, however, that legal writing is your bread and butter—it is how you get a job, and it is how you keep a job. While your goal in some courses may be short term—i.e. a good grade—L.A.W. requires a somewhat longer perspective. You are building a solid foundation for your entire legal career (including your career as a law student), when you develop your reasoning and communication skills. Your hard work now will pay off handsomely when you take law school exams, when you get your first clerking job, and when you are appointed to the Supreme Court.

On a more practical, immediate level, we have also found grades tend to get in the way of learning. For example, we encourage cooperation and peer learning. Many times this year, you will work with other students. This process is seriously weakened when the competitive nature of the grading curve is thrown into the mix. In essence, for L.A.W., you can focus all your energy on learning the skills, and not worry about what grade you will receive. You are right; it is a tremendous amount of work. We trust you will recognize the rewards.

B. INDIVIDUAL WORK:

The Lewis & Clark Honor Code is an important document to the law school community. Read it on line in What’s What. The Honor Code explains that the law school prohibits plagiarism. Plagiarism includes the failure to adequately credit sources when paraphrasing ideas, as well as blatant “lifting” of text. This applies to both published and unpublished material (including the work of other students). Read the plagiarism chapter in this Supplement for more information.

Every year, questions arise concerning the degree to which students may work with one another on their assignments. General guidelines follow. You should address questions to your professor. If you are in doubt, ask.

1. Thinking

We encourage open discussion of ideas and legal theories. Therefore, we encourage you to discuss ideas with your L.A.W. classmates. You may not ask your L.A.W. classmates or anyone else for answers to your L.A.W. assignments.

2. Researching

You may explain your research process to fellow L.A.W. classmates. You may not, however, give another student the answer itself, nor may you mark the pages where the answer is found.

3. Writing

All written work must be a product of your individual effort. Passing off another’s work as your own is plagiarism. You may ask your professor or TA or any other TA to review your L.A.W. assignments, outlines, drafts, and final documents. You may also ask non-lawyers or non-legal trained friends or relatives to proofread your work or read it for clarity, but they may not substantially revise or edit your work. In addition, those readers may not comment on your analysis or content. Finally, you must not ask to see another student’s work or share your work unless directed to do so by your professor.

4. Consequences

A student who violates any of these rules may receive a failing grade for both semesters of Legal Analysis and Writing and may also be subject to further proceedings under the Honor Code. Honor Code sanctions range from written reprimand to expulsion. Failure to report a suspected violation may also be a violation of the Honor Code.

C. LIBRARY:

1. A student shall not take a book outside the library without first checking the book out.

2. A student shall not hoard books. Hoarding means removing a book from its assigned shelf space for more than three hours at a time. This includes intentionally reshelving a book in an improper location. Hoarding also includes possessing more than six library books at any time.

3. A student shall not deface books.

The Library staff is a helpful resource. The staff’s willingness to assist you is directly related to your patience and willingness to observe the library rules. Please remember, the library is a place to work; the student lounge is a place to socialize.

D. DEADLINES:

Your professor will explain how, when, and where to hand in assignments. To assure confidentiality, students may not pick up graded papers for other students. No classes may be skipped in order to complete Legal Analysis and Writing assignments.

E. ORIGINALS AND COPIES:

All papers must be word-processed. In addition to the copy you turn in, you must be able to produce an additional copy of each assignment.

F. ATTENDANCE:

1. Students must regularly attend class to receive credit in the course.

2. Students should inform the professor ahead of time of necessary absences.

3. Students who miss class are responsible for finding out what was covered, collecting any handouts, and for completing any in-class work.

G. ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Satisfactory completion of all assignments, including in-class exercises, is required to receive credit for Legal Analysis and Writing.

2. The range of possible grades on graded assignments is Honors, Credit Plus, Credit, Credit Minus and No Credit.

3. Many required assignments will be collected and critiqued, but not graded.

H. TIMELINESS:

1. All work is due on the assigned day at the assigned time.

2. Any requests for extensions must be submitted in strict accordance with the professor’s requirements.

3. In extraordinary circumstances, a student may request an extension no later than 24 hours after a paper is due. Such a request must include an explanation as to why the request was not made in a timely manner.

I. CONSEQUENCES:

1. All students are expected to comply with the requirements set forth above. Failure to comply may result in receiving a grade of No Credit or F for one or both semesters of Legal Analysis and Writing. All students must receive credit for both semesters in order to graduate.

2. A professor may require a student to rewrite any assignment that is not of satisfactory quality.

3. If a paper is handed in late the grade may be reduced one or more grade levels. For repeated offenses, the student may receive a grade of No Credit or F for the semester, or No Credit or F for the year.