'Depth' or 'Breadth' - or Can You Have Both?

2 Pages Posted: 15 Oct 2009 Last revised: 2 Sep 2010

See all articles by Judith M. Stinson

Judith M. Stinson

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law

Date Written: October 15, 2009

Abstract

In this article, Professor Stinson describes the intensive legal writing course offered at ASU as a model for teaching students both “depth” and “breadth.” She describes the requirements of the course in detail and attributes the success of the class to adequately paid writing faculty, with no other teaching assignments during that period; interested students; adequate number of credits; and, most importantly, very low student:teacher ratios. She claims that teaching both “depth” and “breadth” can be accomplished, but only under the right circumstances. Writing professors can explore, in depth, skills already introduced during the first year. They can also teach new skills and the expectations of new documents. Additionally, they can ensure students are thinking about process rather than product by individually discussing their processes each day.

Keywords: Legal writing, law professors, teaching

Suggested Citation

Stinson, Judith M., 'Depth' or 'Breadth' - or Can You Have Both? (October 15, 2009). Second Draft, Vol. 18, p. 21, December 2003 , Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1489693

Judith M. Stinson (Contact Author)

Arizona State University (ASU) - Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law ( email )

111 E. Taylor St.
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4467
United States

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