Law Schedule of Classes

NOTE: Course offerings change. Classes offered this semester may not be offered in future semesters.

Apart from their assigned mod courses, 1L students may only enroll in courses offered as 1L electives. A complete list of these courses can be found on the 1L Elective Listings page. 1L students must use the 1L class number listed on the course description when enrolling.


208I sec. 001 - International and Foreign Legal Research (Spring 2023)

Instructor: Marci Hoffman  (view instructor's teaching evaluations - degree students only | profile)
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Units: 3
Grading Designation: Graded
Mode of Instruction: In-Person

Meeting:

Tu 3:35 PM - 6:15 PM
Location: Law 240
From January 10, 2023
To April 18, 2023

Course Start: January 10, 2023
Course End: April 18, 2023
Class Number: 31920

Enrollment info:
Enrolled: 14
Waitlisted: 0
Enroll Limit: 23
As of: 08/24 11:03 PM


Do you want to be prepared to work in an international venue or practice in an area of international or comparative law? If so, you need this course. We will cover research methods and sources for international, foreign, and comparative legal research, utilizing both print and electronic materials. Students will learn basic concepts of legal research, research strategies, evaluation of materials in various formats, search techniques for effective use of databases, and research organization. Topics include public international law, foreign law, private international law, the European Union, the United Nations, and more. Class sessions will involve the use of research guides and materials to orient students to the topic, the sources, and the appropriate research methodology. Students will conduct research in class using both print and electronic resources. Grading will be based on in-class or homework assignments that allow the student to use and evaluate the various sources; a brief oral presentation based on the topic for the final research guide; and a final research guide on an international or foreign law topic (a 30-page paper). At the end of the semester, students will have practical knowledge and experience in doing legal research, including selecting and using a variety of international and foreign legal sources. You will also gain confidence in your research abilities and become a more effective and efficient researcher overall.
Requires a significant paper of 30 pages or longer.

Prerequisites:
While there are no prerequisites for this course, it is assumed that students will have some basic familiarity with legal research techniques and methodology.

Requirements Satisfaction:

This class may fulfill Option 2 of the J.D. writing requirement with instructor approval. In order to qualify for Option 2, all students in the class must be writing a paper of 30 or more pages. Those students who wish to use this paper for the writing requirement must get instructor approval and submit their drafts for comment and revision.

Option 2 form needed:
https://www.law.berkeley.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Writing_Requirement_2017.pdf


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Exam Notes: (P) Final paper  
(Subject to change by faculty member only through the first two weeks of instruction)
Course Category: International and Comparative Law

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