>Several semesters I have had ALL students do a 1st and 2d draft of legal
research papers, both graded, with heavier weight on the 2d draft.  The only
way I have time to manage this is to have due dates staggered throughout the
semester, with the first draft due a class period before a particular topic is
discussed in class.  (This adds a little flexibility if someone begs for a
couple of more days to work on the paper and otherwise allows me to foresee
the problems I will have when I call on this student in class.) The student(s)
knows he/she will be called on when the problem/topic is discussed.  This
tends to improve class discussion.  The second draft is due a week after class
discussion.

In semesters where I have the entire class turn in essays or short answer
problems throughout the semester, I do not have time to (require or) grade
projects.  It is a necessary time trade-off.

Carol Miller


===== Original Message From "Academy of Legal Studies in Business (ALSB) Talk"
<[log in to unmask]> =====
>Rick:
>
>         There are professors here, especially in English, who require that
>draft(s) of papers be presented as part of the project.  The final grade is
>a compilation of the grades on the drafts.
>
>         I do not require my students to present drafts.  However, if a
>student asks me to preview a paper, I will do that.  I don't feel that I am
>giving anyone an unfair advantage, since any student can request a review.
>
>         My term paper project involves the students taking a case of their
>choice, either real or imagined, and writing it up as a legal brief.  The
>only restriction is that the case cannot be fully adjudicated - i.e., they
>just can't summarize an appellate opinion.  I urge, but don't require, them
>to run their cases by me so that they are on the right track.  Asking me to
>review a draft is an outgrowth of this suggestion. A few do, but most don't.
>
>                                         Bill
>
>At 01:40 PM 03/27/2000 -0600, you wrote:
>>         Dear ALSB Colleagues,
>>
>>                 I am wondering how some of you have handled the following
>>issue.  I have a legal research paper required for my class that is due in
>>mid-April.  A number of students have asked me if they can submit their
>>papers early to have me read them over and make suggestions, then return the
>>papers for editing and rewriting by the student.
>>
>>                 I am willing to take the time to do this, but worry that
>>this will be considered unfair by the other students who turn in the papers
>>without a review.
>>
>>                 Any suggestions or comments on the fairness of permitting
>>this (or not)??
>>
>>                 Thanks.
>>
>>         Rick Kunkel