Tough Topics Discussed in Legal Dialogues Course
When Dean Suellyn Scarnecchia arrived at the UNM School of Law, one of her top priorities was to get people talking. “Nationwide, it’s an issue at law schools, providing an environment
where students can feel free to express their point of view,” she says. “When I came here, many people of all viewpoints told me how they didn’t feel comfortable speaking up in class.” She enlisted the assistance of student organizations and this year began
offering Legal Dialogues, a one-credit class that is also open to faculty to attend. Throughout the school year, six evening classes take place; each one organized by a different student group. After an introductory session, the Christian Legal Society chose to dis-
cuss the concept of intelligent design. Outside speakers were brought in to present conflicting views on the issue. In mid-January, MALSA organized a student panel to talk about what it means to be white in a diverse society. Scarnecchia, who is teaching the course, moderates the discussions. Already, students have noticed their own prejudices when trying to dis- cuss an issue they feel strongly about. “It’s not about changing the other person’s opinion, but it’s about being
reflective on my own opinion and understanding that the only person I can control is myself,” says Erin Ferreira, president of the Women’s Law Caucus. “I have definitely seen my own biases.” As president of the Christian Legal Society, Karole Kohl, a 3L, had been concerned with how acceptable it has become to bash Christians and how
Hugh Muir Oath Winners
This year’s five winners and three judges of the Hugh Muir Oath Project were honored at a catered dinner at Dean Suellyn Scar- necchia’s home in November. The project offers first-year students an opportunity to make a pledge to their new profession. From l-r: Charles Vigil, president of the State Bar of New Mexico; Carrie Snow, Terri-Nikole Baca, Adolfo Mendez, New Mexico Supreme Court Justice Pamela Minzner, Joe Conte, executive director of the State Bar; Francisco Perez, Dean Scarnecchia, Shannon Driscoll.
Christians often are automatically judged to be proselytizing, whether they are or not. “The dialogue on intelligent design helped bring an issue that ad-
dresses our concerns to light and I hope it opened peoples’ minds to Christianity,” she says. “It’s not about arguing, but about looking at is- sues critically and hearing viewpoints that are different from our own.” Scarnecchia is pleased with the students’ ability to work together on
touchy subjects and be open to other points of view. She hopes it will open up conversations in the classroom and encourage more tolerant discussions of a wide variety of viewpoints. “This type of awareness is important to the legal profession,” she
says. “For lawyers to be successful problem solvers for their clients, they must understand why their opposition is taking a different position. This understanding is essential to being a great lawyer.”
“
The ground rules are inclusive by nature. Whether you are conservative or liberal, a minority or among the majority, this is a
chance for everyone to talk about tough issues. – Denise Chanez
Alison Pauk Wins Essay Contest
Alison Pauk, a 3L, took first
place in the 2005 Blacklock Ethics Essay contest, sponsored by Phi Delta Phi, an international legal fraternity that was established in 1869 to promote a higher stan- dard of professional ethics. She received $500.
New Writing Requirement to Challenge Students
In an effort to improve the overall quality of writing among UNM School of Law graduates, the faculty has adopted a revised advanced
writing requirement. This new policy is being phased in among cur- rent 3Ls and will apply to all 2Ls.
To help bring more structure and uniformity to the requirement, students are encouraged to enroll in seminars geared toward address- ing the requirement. They can fulfill the requirement in a variety of courses that might range from Access to Justice, Educational Equity, International Business Ethics and Mexican-Americans and the Law. Within the courses, they will work individually with professors to de- velop a topic and work through a couple of drafts. The papers, which must be a minimum of 20 pages long, will be approved according to the standards set out in the restructured writing requirement.
WINTER 2006
Every semester, UNM law librarians will be available to visit individual seminars to offer targeted presentations on specific subject areas. UNM law school writing instructors will offer tips on the difference between scholarly writing and brief writing.
“We want students to get an in-depth experience of analytical writing, and by offering a wide variety of seminar choices, we hope they will find an area of the law they are passionate about, which will provide a good framework for their research,” says Professor Jenny Moore, chair of the curriculum committee. “Linked to this is our commitment to provide each student with an opportunity to grow as a writer, by taking his or her writing and analytical skills to a higher and more sophisticated level.”
UNMLAW 13
” – President, Mexican American Legal Student Association
LAW SCHOOL NEWS
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