A Law Student's Toolkit

Yale University

About this Course

75,575 recent views

Whether you are an advanced law student looking to review the basics, or an aspiring law student looking for head start, this course will help you build the foundation you will need to succeed in law school and beyond. This course will introduce you to terminology, concepts, and tools lawyers and legal academics use to make their arguments. It will help you follow these arguments—and make arguments of your own.
This course consists of a series of short lectures and assignments. A reading list complements each lesson, providing you with a roadmap to help you explore the subject matter more deeply on your own. Although the lessons may cross-reference each other, they are modular in nature: you should feel free to approach them in whatever order fits your schedule, interests, and needs.

Learner Career Outcomes

36%

started a new career after completing these courses

28%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish

Instructor

Instructor rating

4.72/5 (146 Ratings)

Ian Ayres

William K. Townsend Professor

Yale Law School

141,346 Learners

3 Courses

Learner Career Outcomes

36%

started a new career after completing these courses

28%

got a tangible career benefit from this course

Shareable Certificate

Earn a Certificate upon completion

100% online

Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.

Flexible deadlines

Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.

Approx. 16 hours to complete

English

Subtitles: Arabic, French, Portuguese (European), Chinese (Simplified), Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, German, Russian, Turkish, English, Spanish

Offered by

Yale University

For more than 300 years, Yale University has inspired the minds that inspire the world. Based in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale brings people and ideas together for positive impact around the globe. A research university that focuses on students and encourages learning as an essential way of life, Yale is a place for connection, creativity, and innovation among cultures and across disciplines.

Syllabus - What you will learn from this course

Content Rating95%(9,917 ratings)

Week

Week 1

1 hour to complete

Introduction

An overview of what you will learn, how it will help you, and how to get the most from it.

1 hour to complete

1 video (Total 7 min), 3 readings

1 video

Introduction6m

3 readings

Before You Begin10m

Reading - Basic Legal Terms10m

Pre-Course Survey10m

6 hours to complete

Categories and Distinctions

Dichotomies and oppositions that will help you categorize legal rules and frame policy questions.

6 hours to complete

11 videos (Total 79 min), 8 readings, 4 quizzes

11 videos

2.1 Lecture15m

2.2 - Lecture6m

2.3 - Lecture8m

2.4 - Lecture13m

2.5 - Lecture5m

2.6 - Lecture4m

2.7 - Lecture8m

2.8 - Lecture4m

2.9 - Lecture4m

2.10 - Lecture4m

2.11 - Lecture2m

8 readings

2.1 - Reading10m

2.3 - Reading10m

2.4 - Reading10m

2.7 - Reading10m

2.8 - Reading10m

2.9 - Reading10m

2.10 - Reading10m

2.11 - Reading10m

1 practice exercise

Applying the Box30m

Week

Week 2

4 hours to complete

Law and . . .

Interactions between the law and academic disciplines such as economics, philosophy, and psychology.

4 hours to complete

10 videos (Total 71 min), 10 readings, 1 quiz

10 videos

3.1 - Lecture7m

3.2 - Lecture2m

3.3 - Lecture8m

3.4 - Lecture3m

3.5 - Lecture5m

3.6 - Lecture4m

3.7 - Lecture5m

3.8 - Lecture4m

3.9 - Lecture9m

3.10 - Lecture19m

10 readings

3.1 - Reading10m

3.2 - Reading10m

3.3 - Reading10m

3.4 - Reading10m

3.5 - Reading10m

3.6 - Reading10m

3.7 - Reading10m

3.8 - Reading10m

3.9 - Reading10m

3.10 - Reading10m

2 hours to complete

Legal Structures

Fundamental frameworks of legal analysis and procedure.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 36 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz

4 videos

4.1 - Lecture6m

4.2 - Lecture9m

4.3 - Lecture9m

4.4 - Lecture9m

4 readings

4.1 - Reading10m

4.2 - Reading10m

4.3 - Reading10m

4.4 - Reading10m

Week

Week 3

1 hour to complete

Evidentiary Tools

Concepts from the law of evidence that can help you respond to questions and make compelling arguments

1 hour to complete

2 videos (Total 12 min), 2 readings

2 videos

5.1 - Lecture7m

5.2 - Lecture4m

2 readings

5.1 - Reading10m

5.2 - Reading10m

2 hours to complete

Preparation Tools

The tools you need to get the most out of law school.

2 hours to complete

4 videos (Total 32 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes

4 videos

6.1 - Lecture10m

6.2 - Lecture6m

6.3 - Lecture7m

6.4 - Lecture7m

2 readings

6.1 - Reading10m

6.2 - Reading10m

1 practice exercise

Statutory Interpretation30m

28 minutes to complete

Postscript

28 minutes to complete

2 videos (Total 8 min), 2 readings

2 videos

Postscript4m

Hillel Investment Advice2m

2 readings

Reading10m

Post-Course Survey10m

Frequently Asked Questions

When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Access to lectures and assignments depends on your type of enrollment. If you take a course in audit mode, you will be able to see most course materials for free. To access graded assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience, during or after your audit. If you don't see the audit option:
The course may not offer an audit option. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid.
The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
Is financial aid available?
Yes, Coursera provides financial aid to learners who cannot afford the fee. Apply for it by clicking on the Financial Aid link beneath the "Enroll" button on the left. You’ll be prompted to complete an application and will be notified if you are approved. Learn more.
Will I earn university credit for completing the Course?
This Course doesn't carry university credit, but some universities may choose to accept Course Certificates for credit. Check with your institution to learn more. Online Degrees and Mastertrack™ Certificates on Coursera provide the opportunity to earn university credit.

More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.

A Law Student's Toolkit