TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW

EXTERNSHIP SYLLABUS

Spring 2011
Cecily A. Becker
Director of Externship Program
817-212-4058
817-212-4059 (fax)
cbecker@law.txwes.edu

Requirements
Timesheet and Journals:
A record of your time and activities and a journal reflecting some aspect of your work
and learning will be due on the following dates:

Time & Journal #1 Jan. 26

Time & Journal #2 Feb. 16
Time & Journal #3 Mar. 9
Time & Journal #4 Apr. 5
Final Time & Journal After completion of hours

Timesheets must be signed off by both you and the supervising attorney. Timesheets and
journals can be:
1) Hand-delivered to my office in Career Services;
2) Scanned and emailed to me at cbecker@law.txwes.edu; or
3) Faxed to 817-212-4059.

Although this is a pass/fail course, journals will be evaluated on the following scale:
unacceptable, acceptable, or excellent. What should be contained in the journals is
explained in detail in the journals assignment document provided to you. The evaluation
will be based on whether a topic is identified, and the quality and depth of reflection in
the journal. Additionally, submitting timesheets and journals in an untimely manner will
result in a failing grade.

Classroom Component:
There will be 6 in-class meetings beginning Jan. 14th from 8:00-9:50, and one online
discussion session as follows:

Fri., Jan. 14 Orientation; Legal Research Tools

Guest Speakers: Chris Helge, Law Librarian; Belynda Ortiz-
Westlaw Rep.; Lynn Pinnekamp- Lexis Rep
Fri., Jan. 28 Placement Introductions and Discussions. Assignment
Clarification; Obtaining Effective Feedback

Fri., Feb. 11 Communication & Counseling

Class Discussion: Observations on Communication/Counseling

Fri., Feb. 25 Online Discussion and One-on-One meetings

Question Posted- Feb. 23; Direct Response Due - Feb. 25; and
Reply Posts Due - Mar. 1.

Fri., Mar. 11 Class Discussion on Placements. Professionalism Discussion.

Fri., Mar. 25 Guest Speakers: Careers in Different Legal Environments &

Getting Started

Fri., Apr. 8 Discussion on the Career Path You Are About to Embark
Upon. Summation/Reflection of your externship experience.

Online Discussion
The online question will be posted by Feb. 23rd, 4:00 pm and must be responded to by the
following Friday, Feb. 25. In addition to posting a direct response on the topic, students
then must respond to at least 2 other student posts, which must be completed by the
following Tuesday, Mar. 1st.

Your online response will also be evaluated as either unacceptable or acceptable, and will
be based on your responsiveness to the topic and the quality and depth of the posting.