Skills – 1 unit - This course will introduce students to the practice of conscious lawyering, including concepts in professional and personal identity, self-awareness, focus, emotional intelligence, cultural and personal values, mindfulness, meditation, and mind-body connection. This course will help train students to be mindful and aware while engaging in the practice of law including litigation, negotiations, transactional deals, client management, and day-to-day work in a law practice.
Student learning in this course will be supported by assigned readings, discussion and practice of the skills taught, including somatic breathwork and meditation. Students will read a selection of supporting materials each week and come to class ready to discuss and put the reading into practice. Students will also respond to weekly prompts on Canvas in order to demonstrate synthesis of the material and to document their experiences. Students should be prepared that the practices in this course may involve non-sexual touching of hands (e.g. handshake, “high-five”, holding of hands) and/or ritualistic or socially accepted expressions of gratitude (e.g. pat on the shoulder, hug or embrace, light touch on the arm).
This course is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (“pass/fail”) basis primarily due to the personal and subjective nature of the course. Therefore, attendance and meaningful participation in the readings, practice and writing exercises will be required to complete the course satisfactorily.
Classroom Policies: This course has an attendance policy.
Classroom Policies: This course has a participation policy.
Grading Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Final Assessment: Small papers each week
Graduation Requirements: Counts towards Professional Skills Requirement.