法律英语课程详细信息

课程号 03835610 学分 2
英文名称 Legal English
先修课程 n/a
中文简介 该课程旨在向学生介绍法律英语,帮助学生掌握各种情形下所需的法律英语写作知识。主要内容包括:
1)用通俗易懂的英语写作法律文本;
2)说服性法律文本写作的基本原则;
3)法律文本起早的基本原则。

学生将分步进行研究、起草纲要、完成写作任务。本课程注重培养和提高学生的批判性思维能力。
英文简介 This advanced undergraduate course introduces students to legal English . The course will prepare students for a variety of situations in which legal English writing is required. Major topics will include:
1) legal writing in plain English;
2) basic principles of persuasive legal writing; and
3) basic principles of legal drafting.
Students will undertake research, outline, and writing tasks. Critical thinking skills will be encouraged throughout.

开课院系 英语语言文学系
通选课领域  
是否属于艺术与美育
平台课性质  
平台课类型  
授课语言 英文
教材 自编讲义;
English (2d ed.),Bryan Garner,University of Chicago Press,2013,The Redbook: A Manual on Legal Style (3rd ed.),Bryan Garner,American Casebook Series,2013,The Legal Writing Handbook: Analysis, Research, and Writing [With CDROM],Laurel Oates and Anne Enquist,2013,The Legal Writing Handbook: Practice Book, 6th Edition,Laurel Oates and Anne Enquis,Wolters Kluwer,2014,
参考书
教学大纲 The ultimate goal of the course is prepare students to undertake writing tasks demanded of those who communicate with lawyers (including interpreters, translators, and clients) and those who require legal English communication skills.  Specifically, the course should introduce:
? Analyzing and conceptualizing legal issues.
? Organizing strategies (outlining).
? Structuring legal arguments and documents (macro & micro structure).
? Using core writing techniques, including clarity, cohesion, concision, and Plain English concerns.
? Writing strong introductions and conclusions.
? Mastering objective v. persuasive techniques.
? Using editing techniques.
? Sharpening efficient writing and editing skills.
? Improving oral skills presenting legal analysis to clients and lawyers.
Week 1   Introduction: Course Overview

Week 2   Legal Writing Process and Plain Legal English
Plain Legal Language Defined
Writing Process + Principles
Week 3   Law
Discussion of Plain Language Guidelines
Reading and Understanding Statutes
   Law Summary Memo Assignment

Week 4   Caselaw
Present Chinese Law Summary Group Memos
Discussion of Caselaw
  Caselaw Summary Memo Assignment

Week 5   Statements of Facts And Evidence
Present Caselaw Summary Group Memos
  Discussion of Plain Language Securities Documentation
  Statements of Fact and Evidence

Week 6  Business Correspondence
Legal Correspondence - Memos, Letters, and Emails
“Privileged”, “Confidential”, and “Without Prejudice”

Week 7   Research Skills
Research Memos and Opinion Letters
Review Appendix B1 Research Memoranda

Week 8   Securities
Review Securities Documentation - Prospectuses, AIFs, MDA, News Releases

Week 9   Analytical and Persuasive Writing
Clear purpose - give context, create structure, arrange logical sequence
Clear organization - strong overview, informative headings, pointing words
Alternative organization structures; Alternatives to outlines


Week 10   Document Design
Organization and Space
Transitions between and within paragraphs
Draft short memo for MPT - due Thursday, 10/10; show your reverse outline.  Annotate to show advanced techniques
In-class exercises
Conferences on MPT memo

Week 11   Legal Drafting - Agreements
Understanding Goals, Structure, Boilerplate
Review Appendix B4 Contract
Contract Summary Assignment

Week 12   Legal Drafting - Agreements
  Peer review of Contract Summary Memo

Week 13  Opinion Letters
Read Chapter 15 – Opinion Letters
Writing for different audiences; multiple audiences

Week 14   Final Writing Project
Final Writing project assigned

Week 15 Conferences on Final Project
Peer Edit and Review of Preliminary drafts

Week 16   Final Writing Presentations
Presentation by PPT
Self-assessment.
Course Evaluations

Week 17   Oral Exam
Oral exams
The course is taught by a combination of lectures and assignments. The writing assignments include writing “from scratch,” editing work and peer review of colleagues’ writing, and rewriting. The lessons from the short assignments contribute to work on longer, fuller documents.  The course involves some writing assignments to be completed outside of class and others in class, some assignments completed individually, and some with a partner.
The course assessment is based on:  
(1) selected homework assignments; 30%
(2) final writing project and related oral exam; 45%
(3) class participation. 25%
教学评估 张玉林:
学年度学期:22-23-1,课程班:法律英语1,课程推荐得分:0.0,教师推荐得分:7.08,课程得分分数段:80及以下;
学年度学期:22-23-2,课程班:法律英语1,课程推荐得分:null,教师推荐得分:null,课程得分分数段:80及以下;