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.
A Law Student's Toolkit
Offered By
A Law Student's Toolkit
Yale University
About this Course
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Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
36%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
Learner Career Outcomes
50%
started a new career after completing these courses
36%
got a tangible career benefit from this course
100% online
Start instantly and learn at your own schedule.
Flexible deadlines
Reset deadlines in accordance to your schedule.
Approx. 18 hours to complete
Suggested: 3 weeks of study, 5-7 hours/week
English
Subtitles: English, French, Chinese (Simplified)
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
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
3 readings
Before You Begin10m
Reading - Basic Legal Terms10m
Pre-Course Survey10m
9 hours to complete
Categories and Distinctions
Dichotomies and oppositions that will help you categorize legal rules and frame policy questions.
9 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 Box8m
5 hours to complete
Law and . . .
Interactions between the law and academic disciplines such as economics, philosophy, and psychology.
5 hours to complete
10 videos (Total 71 min), 10 readings, 1 quiz
10 videos
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
3 hours to complete
Legal Structures
Fundamental frameworks of legal analysis and procedure.
3 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 36 min), 4 readings, 1 quiz
4 readings
4.1 - Reading10m
4.2 - Reading10m
4.3 - Reading10m
4.4 - Reading10m
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 readings
5.1 - Reading10m
5.2 - Reading10m
3 hours to complete
Preparation Tools
The tools you need to get the most out of law school.
3 hours to complete
4 videos (Total 32 min), 2 readings, 2 quizzes
2 readings
6.1 - Reading10m
6.2 - Reading10m
1 practice exercise
Statutory Interpretation2m
28 minutes to complete
Postscript
28 minutes to complete
2 videos (Total 8 min), 2 readings
2 readings
Reading10m
Post-Course Survey10m
Reviews
4.7
TOP REVIEWS FROM A LAW STUDENT'S TOOLKIT
by HKMar 28, 2016
I enjoyed this course but you really need to have some legal background to get the most out of it. The assignments were worth the time they took and I learned a lot trying to grade my fellow students.
by KENov 27, 2017
Really interesting course, quite intense, especially in week 1. Good instructor who engages students (quite a feat for an online course) and encourages one to think about law in different ways.
by SPAug 5, 2019
A very intriguing and challenging course. First week was intense but as the course progressed, it became easier to deal with while also becoming more and more interesting. Great course overall!
by MKJul 6, 2017
Great course. Very useful skills and helpful lessons. Definitely a lot of work and the lectures aren't incredibly intuitive, but useful if you are preparing for your first year of law school.
by RGDec 14, 2016
Very useful information to get a glimpse of what's involved in law. His funny one-legged video at the end suggests too conservative of a trading and investing strategy for me, though.
by SPOct 22, 2016
Went over many aspects of the law and learned a lot from helpful videos and reviewing what peers wrote. Just have to be careful that your peers do not copy and paste for answers.
by HKNov 12, 2015
it is great for citizens students, However, the speaker uses such a little hard vocabulary to understand for international students as me. I really enjoy in this course. Thanks.
by PCAug 6, 2016
I'm an Indian lawyer going to the US to study LLM. This was so useful for me to understand how to think like a lawyer especially for an American law schoo. Thank you Professor
by AMOct 30, 2018
A Fantastic course for anyone wishing to study Law. I particularly Enjoyed the Lecturer's presentations, articulate concise,thorough and engaging. He makes Law come alive!
by WXJun 6, 2017
Very challenging but there are many lessons to be learned. Law is a challenging and complex field, and prof. Ayres comes at it with good analogies and helpful advice
by MCJun 8, 2017
This is a very intense course that requires a great deal of reading. Well worth the energy. Very insightful and great information for the student interested in law.
by OIJul 7, 2018
Wonderful materials, highly resourceful, great lectures delivery by intelligent Professor. Look forward to pay it in anytime soon. BRAVO to the organizers!!!
by GTJun 19, 2017
Justifies the title of the course. Equips you with a skill-set to understand and appreciate the law better. I believe, every Law student should do this.
by DMAug 9, 2017
Very knowledgeable professor. Well structured syllabus. Relevant legal examples. Easy to follow.\n\nToo short, the course that is.\n\nWell done Coursera
by AAJun 17, 2018
Absolutely amazing course, really balance with theory and practice, engaging professor!) MUST for all interested and studying Law. Thank you very much!
by JPDec 23, 2015
The course was beneficial to me and I learned a lot of new things. I took one star because of the assessment of students who are too poorly evaluated.
by AAMar 17, 2016
Great course! Lots of work but you learn soo much! Definitely recommend it to all potential law school hopefuls like me!
by JPAug 23, 2018
Extremely Engaging. I would prefer not having mendatory assignment for audit students but it comes with the territory
by NFSep 19, 2016
The course was very interested , i learned a lot , the course allows me the ability to question matters of the Law .
by AMApr 2, 2019
Enjoyed every bit of the course. very interesting and rich information compacted into bite size learning journey.
About 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
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.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.
