Planning & Implementing a Law School Course on Specialized ...

<strong>Planning</strong> & <strong>Implementing</strong> a <strong>Law</strong> <strong>School</strong>
<strong>Course</strong> on Specialized Legal Research in
Business <strong>Law</strong>
Bobbi A. Weaver, J.D., M.S.L.S., Foreign & International <strong>Law</strong>
Reference Librarian, California Western <strong>School</strong> of <strong>Law</strong>, San
Diego, CA, USA, baw@cwsl.edu

Introduction
California Western <strong>School</strong> of <strong>Law</strong> has traditionally offered an
Advanced Legal Research course, which is regularly taught by one
of its reference librarians. CWSL Reference Librarians have both an
M.L.S. as well as a law degree (J.D.). The current literature in law
librarianship indicated that reference librarians in other law schools
were beginning to offer research courses geared toward particular
legal specialties.

Survey, Results & <strong>Course</strong> Proposal
To gauge the interest of our students in such courses, we
conducted a survey in late 2007. Of the specialty choices provided,
the respondents overwhelmingly indicated an interest in a course in
business law research.
Based on these results, a course in specialized legal research, with
the first class being focused on business law research, was
proposed. The proposal was approved, and the first class was
scheduled for the Spring 2009 term.

Survey Monkey Survey

45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Specialized legal research topic preferences
Business Entities International Env'l & Health Taxation
n=85
Series1

The First Class
Since I had work experience and training in business research, I
volunteered to design and teach the first offering of the course.
Drawing from my past experience and training as well as research in
the current issues involved in business law, I devised a course
syllabus for the class. Eighteen students enrolled in the course
during the Spring 2009 term. Since then, the course has been
offered each Spring term with alternating reference-librarian
instructors.

Abridged syllabus
showing topics
covered during the
course

Evaluation
In the evaluation of the first offering of the course, 16 students
answered a question on what their interest in the subject was prior to
taking the class. Fifteen (15) students responded to the question on
what their interest in the subject is after taking the class. Three (3)
students indicated a “Very High” interest in the class prior to
completing it, while five (5) students indicated a “Very High” interest
afterwards.

7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Interest in topic before and after the class
VeryHigh High Average BelowAvg NoResp.
Interest before class
Interest after class

For more information
Chanin, Leah F., et al., eds. Specialized Legal Research. Boston:
Little Brown, c1987- [ISBN: 0316136255—updated looseleaf].
Hazelton, Penny A. Specialized Legal Research. Frederick, MD:
Aspen Publishers, c2010- [ISBN: 9780735552784—updated
looseleaf]
Helge, Kris & Terri Lynn. “Teaching Specialized Legal Research:
Business Associations.” Legal Reference Services Quarterly 29
(Jan. 2010): 51-83.

For More Information
Presenter Contact Information
Chanin, Leah F., et al., eds. Specialized Legal Research. Boston:
Little Brown, c1987- [ISBN: 0316136255—updated looseleaf].
Hazelton, Penny A. Specialized Legal Research. Frederick, MD:
Aspen Publishers, c2010- [ISBN: 9780735552784—updated
looseleaf]
Helge, Kris & Terri Lynn. “Teaching Specialized Legal Research:
Business Associations.” Legal Reference Services Quarterly
29 (Jan. 2010): 51-83.
Bobbi A. Weaver
Foreign & International <strong>Law</strong>
Reference Librarian
Cal. Western <strong>School</strong> of <strong>Law</strong>
225 Cedar Street
San Diego, CA 92101 USA
(619) 525-1497
baw@cwsl.edu
SLA 2011, Philadelphia, DBF Poster Session
Mon., June 13, 2011
4:00-5:30 pm
<strong>Planning</strong> & <strong>Implementing</strong> a
<strong>Law</strong> <strong>School</strong> <strong>Course</strong> in
Specialized Legal Research
in Business <strong>Law</strong>
Presented by
Bobbi A. Weaver
Foreign & Int’l <strong>Law</strong> Reference Librarian
California Western <strong>School</strong> of <strong>Law</strong>
225 Cedar Street
San Diego, CA 92101 USA
baw@cwsl.edu
(619) 525-1497

Introduction
Survey, Results & <strong>Course</strong> Proposal
The First Class
California Western <strong>School</strong> of <strong>Law</strong> has traditionally offered an Advanced
Legal Research course, which is regularly taught by one of its reference
librarians. CWSL Reference Librarians have both an M.L.S. as well as a
law degree (J.D.). The current literature in law librarianship indicated that
reference librarians in other law schools were beginning to offer research
courses geared toward particular legal specialties.
To gauge the interest of our students in such courses, we conducted a
survey in late 2007. Of the specialty choices provided, the respondents
overwhelmingly indicated an interest in a course in business law research.
Based on these results, a course in specialized legal research, with the
first class being focuses on business law research, was proposed. The
proposal was approved, and the first class was scheduled for the Spring
2009 term.
45
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Business
Entities
International Env'l & Health Taxation
Specialized Legal Research Topic Preferences (above)
Series1
n=85
Since I had work experience and training in business research, I volunteered
to design and teach the first offering of the course. Drawing from
my past experience and training as well as research in the current issues
involved in business law, I devised a course syllabus for the class.
Eighteen students enrolled in the course during the Spring 2009 term.
Since then, the course has been offered each Spring term with alternating
reference-librarian instructors.
In the evaluation of the first offering of the course, 16 students answered
a question on what their interest in the subject was prior to
taking the class. Fifteen (15) students responded to the question on
what their interest in the subject is after taking the class. Three (3)
students indicated a “Very High” interest in the class prior to completing
it, while five (5) students indicated a “Very High” interest afterwards.
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
VeryHigh High Average BelowAvg NoResp.
Review of basic legal research concepts
Business formation & operation
Business dissolution
Directories
Economic valuation information
Securities regulation and information
Employment <strong>Law</strong>
Intellectual Property
Corporate Taxation
International Trade Agreements
(left)
Interest before class
Interest after class
(right)
Evaluation
Topics Covered