Designing an Award Winning Academic Component to a Semester-in-Practice Program Focused on Professional Identity and Civility

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Session Type: Lightning Sessions

Session Capacity: N/A

Hotel: N/A

Room: Franciscan C

Floor: Ballroom Level

Our session is designed to give you “how-to” information and to spark your creativity in designing an online academic course component to a “semester away” program that stresses concepts of non-polarizing civility and professional identity and uses non-traditional resources, particularly those focused on professionalism-related facets of emotional intelligence. In our Bridge-to-Practice Course, students are challenged through reading materials, videos, and weekly responsive papers to examine the following: (1) the purpose and function of legal professionalism and professional courtesy in a (court / private practice / government office / public interest organizational) setting; (2) the “human-side” importance of thorough, accurate, and relevant legal research; (3) the “real time” nature of producing quality legal writing; (4) the role of technology in the practice of law; (5) the human versus strictly rule-based aspects of legal decision-making; (6) the link between the study of law and the practice of law; and (7) the importance of balance, business etiquette, custom, candor, civility, happiness, adaptability, navigating the unknown, and managing anxiety in the practice of law. Our program received the Florida Bar’s 2018 Professionalism Award, and is noted for exposing students to topics not normally addressed in traditional law classes. We encourage and welcome you to share your experiences and ideas in teaching or designing such a course.