Becoming a Professional: A Collaborative Capstone Course to Develop Professional Identity through Integrated Instruction in Theory, Skills, & Values

Becoming a Professional- A Collaborative Capstone CourseDeveloping Professional Identity;Integrating Theory, Skills, ValuesProf. Judith Wegner, U. North CarolinaDean Louis Bilionis, U. of Cincinnati Center for Creative Leadership (www.ccl.org) 1Changing legal profession: Need for range of non-litigation skillsPreparation for new forms and formats of practiceNeed for more practice ready beginnersChanging legal educationNeed for methods to address changes in legal professionNeed for integrated instruction for better learningNeed for better transition from student to professional including professional identityImpetus for Change2Invitation to individual faculty members and law schools to do something that addresses the challenges of change whereNo need for added resourcesModel with core design & instructional materials http://becomingprofessional.web.unc.eduEasy opportunity for involvement of lawyersSupport and insight for students Helps them shape their professional trajectoriesHelps them build a range of skills and integrate their educational experience

Role of this Part of the Panel3Seminar sizedGeared to fall semester 3LsCo-taught using distance technology and parallel game planHigh expectations of studentsPerform in professional roles throughoutDevelop range of skills including teamwork and oral/written presentationsDeclare themselves with project and portfolioAppreciate dynamics within profession

What? A Collaborative Capstone Course4Enhance understanding of nature and challenges facing the legal profession in time of major changeDevelop skills not generally taught elsewhere, using both cognitive & skill-development strategiesEncourage students to understand how their personal values (along with professional values) can shape their future trajectoriesEncourage students to reflect upon and shape professional paths based on deeper understandings of their personal and professional identities

How? Course Objectives5Knowledge: legal profession(s) & changesSkillsSelf-awareness and reflectionTeam work: collaboration, feedback, leadershipSpeaking and listening (not litigation)Project design, planning, implementationTechnology useResearch Time managementValues: professionalism and personal valuesProfessional Formation: project & portfolio

How? Course Learning Outcomes6Of studentThinking, doing, believing/being

Of lawyerValues, skills, opportunities

Of student/lawyer at the point of transition

How? Integration78Professional Well-Being, Strength & Satisfaction: Center for Creative Leadership9UCs Dean Louis Bilionis

10Modeling collaborationProfessor plus practitioner/judge Center for Creative LeadershipTwo sections (NC and OH) connecting virtuallyTeam assignments with virtual pairingsRetreats with practitioners and Center for Creative Leadership (www.ccl.org)

Course Design: Methods11Multiple reflective writing exercisesTeam projects with presentationsCourse project & presentationsElectronic portfolios

Assessment12Do you agree with projections for change in the legal profession? Why/why not? Which of the projected changes scares you the most? Why? Which of the projected changes excites you the most? Why?

Class discussion centered on examples of situations in which lawyers encountered issues relating to values and diversity. What common themes emerged? Are there general lessons about how lawyers can respond when faced with situations of this sort?Student Work: Reflection Prompts13Team Handout

14Team Handout

15Proposed pro bono initiatives:Website for pro bono litigants with resources relating to divorce and child custody Clinic strategy for Hispanic communityStrategy for involving UC law students with teen shelterDevelop strategy for introducing UC law students to nonprofit volunteer opportunitiesPartnership with nonprofit to involve students in post-conviction pro bono workStrategies for dealing with toxic work place

Student Work: Projects16

UC Prof. Ken Hirsh on Portfolios17I learned toPresent without power pointWork with teams and understand their dynamicsAppreciate different types of law practice and their dynamicsCollaborate with people not in the same roomManage many small tasks throughout the semesterSet my own goals and find my own path

Student Take-Aways: Examples18Challenges facing studentsAre really grave particularly given debt loads.Students want us to acknowledge and work with them to navigate these shoals.Co-teaching with practitionersWas rewarding and engagingAdded much to the class in terms of credibility and insight.Entrepreneurial thinkingCourse fosters entrepreneurial attitudes (social entrepreneurship, professional entrepreneurship)Mix of instructional strategies (including retreats and assessments) was important

Professors Take-Aways19SyllabusReflection AssignmentsRetreat Outlines and MaterialsTeam Assignments: Discussion Leadership and Professional SubfieldsProject Description and AssignmentPortfolio Description and AssignmentList of Student ProjectsWebsite Resources: http://becomingprofessional.web.unc.edu Contacts: UNC: judith_wegner@unc.eduUC: louis.bilionis@uc.edu; hirshk@ucmail.uc.edu Additional Materials Available20