The core curriculum of the first year is traditional. The courses include a wide range of substantive fields suited to developing the analytical skills essential to lawyering. Private and public law, judicial and legislative process, and research and writing are all subsumed in this curriculum. The focus is on teaching students how to learn and how to use knowledge and skills to solve problems. The lawyer's responsibility to clients and society also is explored in the context of substantive courses. The goals are to teach critical thinking, persuasive reasoning, effective communication, creative problem solving, social awareness and professional responsibility. This challenge stimulates both student and teacher.

The Curriculum web pages are maintained by the Associate Dean.