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Regular class attendance is mandatory. If you have more than two unexcused absences per semester, your grade will suffer. (See paragraph II.C below.)
This is a two-semester course, but each semester is graded independently. Grades are given on the following 4-part scale (listed in order from best to worst): HIGH PASS, PASS, LOW PASS, FAIL. At the end of the year, one student per section will be selected for a "Scribe Award" for outstanding performance in LRW.
The fall semester grade is based on three components, each of which is weighted as indicated:
The Client File # 1 assignments, the ICW (citation) exercises, and the research practice sets are ungraded, but these assignments will lower the Professionalism component if they are late or not minimally satisfactory. See below in Part C. Be aware, moreover, that students who do not give serious attention to these ungraded assignments typically score poorly on the graded assignments.
You are expected to prepare for and participate during class. Failure to do so may lower your grade.
Each student begins each semester with 25 percentage points in his or her Professionalism account, of which, in the fall semester:
Note: Unprofessional conduct of the type listed above that occurs after a student has lost all 25 Professionalism points may result in immediate exclusion from the class and immediate failure of the course.
Assignments are due by the date and time specified by your professor. Two points will be deducted from your Professionalism grade for each day an assignment is late. There is no grace period. Thus, an assignment due at 8:00 a.m. and turned in or uploaded at 8:01 a.m. is one day late and causes a 2-point deduction from the Professionalism account, while an assignment turned in or uploaded at 8:01 a.m. the day following an 8:00 a.m. deadline is two days late and causes a 4-point deduction. Similarly, if you are late to class when an assignment is due at the start of class, your assignment is late.
If you encounter a legitimate problem and cannot submit an assignment at the time and on the date specified, you are expected to contact your professor before the work is due to negotiate an extension of time or, in emergencies, as soon after the deadline as is reasonably possible. Even in emergencies, you should make a reasonable effort to notify your professor before a deadline if you will miss it.
Your legal writing professor will often convey important information to via your IU e-mail account. For this reason, you must check your IU e-mail account daily.
The syllabus posted during the first week of class is subject to change. Your professor will usually notify you of changes, but it is your responsibility to check the on-line syllabus weekly. A good practice is not to print the entire syllabus but at most to copy and print the next two weeks' worth of material at a time.
Laptops can be a powerful tool, but continuous partial attention impedes your success in law school and in legal practice, and laptop use unrelated to class can be distracting to your professor and to other students. Accordingly, laptops are permitted in class but may only be used for taking notes, referring to materials and notes for this course, and engaging in other uses expressly authorized by your professor. During class, you are expected not to play games, use Instant Messaging, read e-mail, or use the Web for recreational purposes or for other purposes unrelated to this class. Professionalism points will be deducted for improper computer use that is disruptive or distracting. See above, part II.C.
Academic misconduct, which at IU includes cheating, fabrication, plagiarism, interference, violation of course rules, and facilitating academic dishonesty, will not be tolerated. Note that most forms of misconduct, including plagiarism and cheating, do not require intent or knowledge. A student is guilty of plagiarism, for example, if the student "adopt[s] or reproduce[s] ideas, words, or statements of another person without an appropriate acknowledgment," regardless of whether she intended to do so or knew she was doing so.
Allegations of academic misconduct will be investigated fully and may result in suspension, expulsion, or exclusion from bar membership. Review carefully the School of Law's Standards of Conduct and Statement on Academic Dishonesty in its "Academic Regulations," as well as the definitions of academic misconduct in Part II.G of the University's "Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct." A copy of the specific provisions mentioned here is posted on the course Web site, under Readings and Resources.
Finally, always follow carefully your professor's instructions about the degree of collaboration permitted, if any, on each assignment.
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