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Block F 2020 Primer
Block F 2020 Primer
st
1 Semester
GENERAL OVERVIEW of the SEMESTER:
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
Persons and Family Relations by Atty. Mel Sta. Maria
Grade Range:
70s90s
Grade breakdown:
o Recitation: 1/3
o Midterms: 1/3
o Finals: 1/3
Do not rely on the curve, especially if the grade range in the block is too
far apart. Therefore, always make sure you pass the recitations and
exams.
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Understand the codal provisions by heart; it would be better if you
memorize them.
Recite only the relevant facts, issues, and ruling.
She seldom skips topics; therefore, the order of topics/articles to be
discussed will be according to the order in the book.
Midterms:
The exam is commonly essay and enumeration.
Pay attention on the topics that are emphasized in class because these
are the ones that will appear in the exams. The usual topics are, legal
separation, annulment, psychological incapacity, family home, property
regimes, and marriage.
Read the book again. Master the requisites of the topics mentioned above.
Finals:
*see Midterms
Unlike the midterms, the finals is purely an essay exam.
Subject: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I (3 units)
Teaching Style:
Chairman Bautista will start the semester by consulting you on the
breakdown of grades. The class may opt for graded recitations or not.
If the class opts to have no recitation grades, thus making the grade
breakdown 50% midterms and 50% finals.
He usually lectures with PowerPoint presentations, which are provided
before class.
Read the cases he cites.
Also share your insights or ask questions.
He dislikes answers that have no legal basis.
Get a copy of his book, which juxtaposed the Philippine Constitution with
the U.S. Constitution.
Also, stay updated on current events.
Chairman Bautista is known to fail the bottom 10 of the class.
He makes you think and apply the doctrines of the cases. You are not
limited to what you read.
Never piss him off. DONT BE ABSENT in his classes because hes a very
busy person yet hes making a lot of adjustments just to attend your class.
Always have the following ready every meeting:
o Cheetos (regular flavor, do not give him jalapeo)
o Bottled water
Make him happy by throwing parties for Christmas or a sem-ender party. If
you can afford Blue Label, give him one.
Your beadle should constantly remind him that you have class at this time.
He is very busy. Your beadle should always have his PowerPoint
presentations (.jpg format) ready in a USB. Make sure that the
presentations are in order.
Never place non-Consti books on top of your desk; this will piss him off.
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
His book
Bernas Primer
The cases he cites
Grade Range:
70s to high 90s
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Read his PowerPoint presentations in advance.
Read the cases mentioned in the slides.
Relate each article of the Philippine Constitution to the U.S. Constitution.
Always be prepared to criticize how the Philippine Constitution was written.
He always says that the Philippine Constitution is verbose.
Midterms:
His exams are mostly composed of MCQs, true or false questions, and
essay questions.
For MCQs study some Bar questions and his sample exams and also
those from Fr. Bernas.
For true or false, if false, cite jurisprudence.
For essay, he prefers long but substantiated answers.
Finals:
*see Midterms
Subject: CRIMINAL LAW I (3 units)
Teaching Style:
He usually shuffles the index cards after he checks the attendance, but
sometimes he separates those who have already recited.
The discussion for the first few articles in Criminal Law I may take more
time than you think.
He has a closed book recitation rule, but you can read if its not your turn
to recite.
He usually calls one person per legal provision.
He usually asks the codal provision first, followed by the elements of the
crime, if there are any. He then moves to questions from the
commentaries, followed by a situational question. There are times when
he would just ask the codal provision, especially if it is long.
He has a lot of follow-up questions. These are usually leading questions,
which points you to the answer he wants.
He asks for examples that are not in the book.
Also, he usually asks definitions of important terms not defined in the book.
When he thinks you are not prepared, he would let you answer his last
question and then he will ask you to sit down. Generally, he does not
embarrass any student.
Always remember to put your gadgets into silent mode or better yet turn
them off! He might walk out of the class, if he hears any gadget sound.
Keep quiet and listen to him. Close your books when somebody is reciting.
He might also walk out of class or give everyone 70s for recitation, if he
hears anyone talking or if he catches anyone looking at a seatmates book.
Atty. Vallente says that he is a father first before he is a lawyer/professor,
so he skips classes to make time for his family. However, he makes sure
that he holds make-up classes for the lost time.
Near the end of the semester, there may be joint classes with other blocks
he teaches. This is to make up faster for the class meetings he missed.
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
Criminal Law book 1 by Reyes
San Beda Criminal Law reviewer
Grade Range:
Recitation grades:
o If absent = 60
o If present, but cannot answer: 70
o Recitation grades range from 82 to 89
o He seldom gives 90s
Grade Breakdown:
o Recitation: 1/3
o Midterms: 1/3
o Finals: 1/3
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Close your book during recitations.
Memorize the codal provisions.
Prepare to answer his situational questions and also prepare your own
example.
Read the Reyes book and if there are terms not defined in it, better know
their meaning.
Midterms:
His questionnaire is 15 to 25 pages long.
Exams are usually MCQs (20 points) and essay (80 points).
Some MCQs might come from sample exams, so aim to ace the MCQ part.
His essay questions are long, with lots of unnecessary facts. Concentrate
only on the facts relevant to the question. You only have a limited time, so
manage it well.
His questions may be based on current events or on the cases discussed
in class.
You will know that he really reads your answers, because your bluebooks
would have lots of comments and markings.
Essays merit at least a point, unless you leave the item blank.
Write legibly.
Answer everything.
Memorize the codal provisions and the elements of different crimes, and
make sure to correctly cite them in your answers.
Finals:
*see Midterms
History holds that raw scores of students never reach 75, so he curves the
grades. However, he still fails students. If you pass Atty. Vallentes finals,
you will pass his class.
Subject: PHILOSOPHY OF LAW (2 units)
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
The Idea of Law by Dennis Lloyd
Sids notes
Grade Range:
80smid 90s
Breakdown:
50%-Midterms
50%-Finals
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Read his assigned readings.
Prepare questions for him before class.
Keep up with current events and have a stand on the matter.
Midterms:
Master his sample exams. He usually repeats his questions. However, he
adds new questions or he changes the exam type, so do not get too
complacent.
Exams are usually in essay, multiple choice questions, or true or false
format.
Try to memorize definitions from the assigned readings, especially the
ones he emphasizes in class. He gives perfect essay points to those who
are able to answer in verbatim.
Finals:
Unlike the midterms, his final exams have more new questions.
*see Midterms
Subject: STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION (2 units)
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
Assigned cases.
Statcon Swerte Reviewer
Statcon Finals Reviewer
Grade Range:
mid 80s to 90s
Grade breakdown:
Recitation: 1/3
Midterms: 1/3
Finals: 1/3
Midterms/Finals:
He will give at least one written exam, either the midterms or the finals.
The other one will be a group assignment.
His exam consists of true or false and essay formats.
Essay questions are usually about the reason behind the basic rules of
construction. (Ex: Why do we have to interpret words in their plain
meanings?)
Memorize the rules of statutory construction and the Latin maxims.
Subject: LEGAL PROFESSION AND COUNSELING (1 unit)
Teaching Style:
She starts her class with 15 minutes of meditation. She is almost always
late, thus expect class time extensions and make-up classes.
Unlike your major subjects, preparation for her class will be a breeze. You
are only asked to read and reflect on the assigned readings.
She encourages participation in class discussions because she values
your opinion on the topic discussed. She sometimes asks questions about
the reading assignment, just to check if you have read them. However,
these recitations are not as heart pounding as those in your major
subjects. Most of the time, you volunteer to recite.
Memorize the lawyers oath and expect a quiz about it.
She gets creative with her requirements and she expects you to give your
best output. Her requirements include mind maps, reflection papers,
debate, and moot court, among others.
Read the readings for class discussion; so you will not be overwhelmed
come exam time. If you cannot read it ahead of time, divide the readings
among yourselves and compile it as a reviewer.
As a final requirement, last year she required a comprehensive group
report, complete with quantitative or qualitative data about an aspect of
the legal profession. You will be asked to submit a written report and to
present it in class. This will be time consuming and a bit of a hassle, as it
will coincide with finals week. Make sure you prepare ahead of time.
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
Assigned readings
Grade Range:
70s to 80s
She passed everyone last year, but do not get too complacent because
she fails students.
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Recite a lot and take down the dates when you recited because
sometimes she forgets to put a grade on your class cards.
Tell her what she wants to hear. Shell tell you shes open to opposing
views but those who contradict her tend to get lower grades.
Midterms:
Our midterm exam was a take home term paper.
She does not repeat exam questions and her exams are usually in essay
format.
Answer the exams based on the reading assignments and cite these
readings to get a higher grade.
It is also important to know her stand on issues surrounding the legal
profession. In order to get good grades, use her stance on a particular
matter to answer exam questions.
Finals:
*see Midterms
Last year, there was no final exam, a comprehensive group report was the
final requirement.
Subject: LEGAL RESEARCH (1 unit)
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
Ateneo Law Journal citation guide
Assigned readings/cases
Grade Range:
mid 80s to 90s
He did not fail anyone last year. This may be an opportunity to pull up your
QPI, so do not be lax. He will base the grades on your and your recitation.
He gives heavier weight to papers, as this is a research class.
Grade breakdown:
o Recitation: 1/3
o Midterms: 1/3
o Finals: 1/3
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Read the citation guide.
In reciting cases, make sure to recite the pertinent doctrines relevant to
the subject.
Midterms:
He will be asking you to write a paper in lieu of a midterm exam.
Follow the proper format for citations in the citation guide.
You submit your paper online in your class Facebook group, so there is
no hassle for printing. Meet the deadline, it is already convenient for you,
there are no excuses left for late submissions other than cramming.
Although, he accepts late papers, there will be deductions on your paper.
Finals:
*see Midterms
Block 1F
2nd
Semester
GENERAL OVERVIEW of the SEMESTER:
The second semester is not easier than the first. But you will notice that
you got better.
Studying is still your top priority, but you are now able to balance it with
your other activities.
By this time, you now have a grip of your study habits and strategies.
However, since your professors are different, try to tweak your study
habits and strategies to the teaching style of your professors.
Atty. Chan-Gonzagas exams, together with Atty. San Pedros, will be the
bane of your 2nd semester existence. You will probably have more time to
studyuse it. But dont burn out.
Focus more on Obligations and Contracts. Not only that it is five-unit
course, but also because your professor Atty. Joseph San Pedro is
notorious for his 80% finals rule. It means that 80% of your grade in this
five-unit subject will be determined by your final exam, which is no piece of
cake.
However, do not disregard your other subjects. These subjects will help
you pull up your QPI. They can also save you from getting kicked out of
law school.
Know the rules on J.D. scholastic responsibility and the sequencing of
subjects to better prepare and strategize for the upcoming semesters.
Now that you have known your block mates better, make your bond
stronger. Cooperate in block activities, share your materials, and
encourage each other. Stop the crab mentality. After all, you have the
same goals: to survive law school, pass the bar, and be lawyers for others.
Challenge yourself to do better than your performance last semester. Start
setting goals for yourself. Whether it is being part of the honor roll, or
simply not having a grade lower than 80, it will go a long way. Goal setting
motivates you to study better and perform better in class. Just dont be too
competitive. Compete against yourself.
Subject: OBLIGATIONS AND CONTRACTS (5 units)
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
No textbooks required for his class, but these might be helpful:
o Civil Code Obligations and Contracts by Tolentino
o Obligations and Contracts by De Leon
o Obligations and Contracts by Paras
1F 2013-2014 transcription a.k.a. Trojan notes
1f 2014-2015 transcription
Grade Range:
70s to high 80s
Grade breakdown:
o Recitations: 10%
o Midterms: 10%
o Finals: 80%
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Read the original cases religiously. Theyre not very long and theyre
pretty interesting anyway. Put in the work.
Read the transcripts for you to know his comments on each topic. He
sometimes repeats his comments and jokes. Besides, you will enjoy
reading the transcripts because his jokes are funny, some jokes are green
but you are old enough for it anyway.
Digests are also helpful in spotting the important ObliCon concepts. If he
asks about concepts only, the digests alone will probably help you survive.
Midterms:
His midterms is purely essay.
This is usually a giveaway exam; the quizzes were harder than the
midterms.
Some questions were lifted from sample exams.
Read your transcripts and memorize the requisites and exceptions to
ObliCon concepts.
Finals:
The final exam was almost impossible to finish.
Read the transcripts and the original cases from the start of class because
here is where your reading and your paying attention in class would pay
off. Some questions are framed as some of the cases you have discussed.
Subject: CONSTITUTIONAL LAW II (3 units)
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers
Bernas casebook
Green book: Commentary by Fr. Bernas (comprehensive)
Primer by Fr. Bernas (summarized)
Codal
Jech Tiu digests (recitation ready digests)
The New Order a.k.a. the minion digests (comprehensive digests; longer
than the Jech Tiu digests, but incomplete toward the end)
Sandy Crab
The plagiarist
CROMBONDS reviewer
Grade Range:
70s80s for recitations
80s for exams
Grade breakdown
o Recitations: 40%
o Midterms: 20%
o Finals: 40%
She only accepts appeals for computation errors. However, you
probably have to wait a long time for the results of your appeal.
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Be confident and only give important facts.
Know by heart the rationale and the doctrine of the case.
Provisions must be recited in verbatim
If she catches you unprepared, she will ask specific details on the case.
For quizzes, make sure to read all the cases assigned even if you are not
on deck. She bases her questions on cases that are yet to be tackled in
class.
Midterms:
Exam types are usually essay, multiple choice questions, identification,
and/or true or false.
Questions are tricky. Read them very well before answering.
In studying cases, familiarize yourself with the definition of the terms
mentioned. Atty. Chan-Gonzaga gives these seemingly unimportant terms
as bonus questions in her exams.
Know the development of doctrines in jurisprudence and learn how to
apply them in different situations. Most of Atty. Chan-Gonzagas questions
are situational.
Finals:
*see Midterms
Subject: CRIMINAL LAW II (3 units)
Teaching Style:
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Memorize the legal provisions in verbatim.
Know the elements of each crime.
Midterms:
Answer every question. Do not leave blanks even if you do not know the
answer because he gives partial points.
He likes it when you list down the elements of each crime.
He emphasizes on legible handwriting. It will affect your exam score.
His exams are usually long and they require deep analysis, so manage
your time wisely.
Finals:
*see Midterms
Subject: LEGAL TECHNIQUE AND LOGIC (2 unit)
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
Introduction to Logic by Irving Copi and Carl Cohen
Grade Range:
80smid 90s
He will not hesitate to give you a hundred, if you deserve it.
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Study the book.
Memorize logic equations.
Keep up with current events and have a stand on the matter.
Midterms:
Master his sample exams. He usually repeats his questions. However, he
adds new questions or he changes the exam type, so do not get too
complacent.
Exams are usually in essay, multiple choice questions, or true or false
format.
Try to memorize definitions from the assigned readings, especially the
ones he emphasizes in class. He gives perfect essay points to those who
are able to answer in verbatim.
Finals:
Unlike the midterms, his final exams are problem-solving types.
During the exam, he allows you to have a codigo written in blue ink. Your
codigo should be written in one legal sized bond paper. Fit all your notes
there. Include the Latin terms of the logical fallacies.
Subject: LEGAL WRITING (2 units)
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
Elements of Style by Strunk and White
Plain English for Lawyers by Richard Wydick
Regina Iustitae exercises reviewer
Grade Range:
70slow 80s
Preparation for:
Recitations:
The exercises are the equivalent of recitations for his class.
Study the books he assigned.
In writing for his class, always go straight to the point. Be concise.
Midterms:
For his exams, he will only ask you to submit a paper.
Follow the rules in the books he assigned.
Never be late in passing your requirements.
Finals:
*see Midterms
Subject: THEOLOGY AND SOCIAL TEACHINGS OF THE CHURCH (2 units)
Teaching Style:
Recommended Books/Reviewers:
Living Justice: Catholic Social Teaching in Action by Thomas Massaro
Grade Range:
80smid 90s
He will not hesitate to give you a hundred, if you deserve it.
Preparation for:
Recitations:
Read his assigned readings.
Prepare questions for him before class.
Keep up with current events and have a stand on the matter.
Midterms:
Master his sample exams. He usually repeats his questions. However, he
adds new questions or he changes the exam type, so do not get too
complacent.
Exams are usually in essay, multiple choice questions, or true or false
format.
Try to memorize definitions from the assigned readings, especially the
ones he emphasizes in class. He gives perfect essay points to those who
are able to answer in verbatim.
Finals:
Unlike the midterms, his final exams have more new questions.
*see Midterms