Annual Report 2005-2006 - Osgoode Hall Law School - York ...

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
B. Curriculum Support
The other central focus for the Assistant Dean (First Year) this past year was that of providing guidance to
first-year students in developing their plans of study for law school.
As in past years, we coordinated the Perspective Options Fair in November. For this well-attended session,
each Perspective Option instructor was invited to introduce the first-year class to their course. On a much
larger scale, we also held an upper-year course selection seminar in March 2006, in conjunction with
student services. Faculty members from the major areas of course concentration at Osgoode were invited
to speak to students outlining the various offerings in each area and describing to students any related
offerings (for example, curricular streams, intensive programs) in that area.
On an ad hoc basis, the Assistant Dean (First Year) continues to be one of the first places that first-year
students turn to with questions about course selection and planning. This spring was no different, in that
we communicated with approximately 50 first-year students around these matters.
The Assistant Dean (First Year) will continue to run the course selection sessions in conjunction with
Student Services and with the cooperation of Osgoode faculty members. Connecting students and faculty
over academic and legal matters is an important part of building our sense of community at Osgoode. This
kind of future planning is one which faculty and students should consider a joint project.
C. Curriculum Reform Working Group
The Curriculum Reform Working Group is charged with investigating the possibility of a move to a
full-year system for first-year courses, a greater emphasis on ethics and professionalism, and the creation
of a two-week introductory course that would initiate students into a broad vision of legal education. The
contribution of the Assistant Dean (First Year) to this process is important in that this office deals with
both academic and more environmental issues facing the first-year class and is therefore well situated to
advise on areas for improvement and focus. The Curriculum Reform Working Group, chaired by Professor
Lisa Philipps, began meeting in May 2006, and is expected to report in late 2006.
Dean Patrick Monahan (second row, second from the right) and Dean Emeritus Peter Hogg (third row, right) join Osgoode students
in celebrating the Law School’s Number One ranking in Canadian Lawyer magazine’s 2006 Law School Survey.
12 OSGOODE HALL LAW SCHOOL