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The Cornell University School of Law.
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of the profession are substantially agreed as to what the student should study before he presents himself for admission to the bar. But as to how he should study and be taught, there is as yet considerable differ ence of opinion. It is not the purpose of the writer to discuss the merits and the de fects of the several systems of instruction. This has been thoroughly done in articles that have appeared from time to time in this periodical. Suffice it to say that it was not thought wise that any particular method should be made, by special Faculty action, distinctively characteristic of the school, but that the proper course lay in giving to the different members of the teaching force en tire freedom in that regard. The result has been a use of all recognized methods by each member of the Faculty, the method chang ing frequently with a change of subject; but it is probably correct to say that in struction to the more advanced students by means of the study of specially selected cases has been from the first a special fea ture of the school. The course of study is a graded one. The following is a statement of the subjects upon which instruction is given and exam inations required, together with suggestions as to the methods in use : — Junior Year. 1. Elementary Law. Selected parts of the Commentaries of Blackstone are used as the basis of this work. The student is thoroughly examined each day upon portions of the text that have been previously assigned; he also lis tens to lectures and expositions by the professor in charge. 2. Contracts, including Agency. The work in this subject is carried on by text-book exposition and recitations, and after the elementary prin ciples have been mastered, by the study of se lected cases. 3. Criminal Law and Procedure. General lec tures in which the fundamental principles are fully explained, supplemented by the study of selected cases. With New York students, special attention is given to the New York Penal Code and the New York Code of Criminal Procedure. 4. Torts. Text-book and recitations, supple mented by lectures and to some extent by work upon cases. 5. Domestic Relations. Text-book exposition and recitations principally; some parts of the subject, however, are taught by lecture. 6. The Law of Real Property. This is begun during the junior year, one term's work of eleven weeks being devoted to it. The work consists of a thorough mastery of the second book of Blackstone so far as it is devoted to real property, with daily examinations. 7. Evidence. Text-book, lectures and cases. 8. Common Law Pleading and Practice in Cases at Law. Some approved text-book on pleading is used as a basis for this work. In connection with the text-book work, informal lec tures on practice are given. The student is also given work in the preparation of pleadings, and his efforts are carefully examined and criticised by the professor in charge. 9. Civil Procedure under the Codes. This subject is begun during the last term of the junior year, and is taught chiefly by lecture. 10. English Constitutional flistory. Lectures. Senior Year. 1. Private and Municipal Corporations. Lec tures, supplemented by a thorough study of cases. 2. Mercantile Law, including Bills, Partnership, Sales, Suretyship, etc. These subjects are taught principally by cases. 3. The Law of Real Property. Some standard text-book is used as the basis for the general instruction. With New York students, special attention is given to statutory modifications. 4. Equity Jurisprudence. A full course of lec tures is first given which covers the fundamental principles of the science. This work is supple mented by a thorough study of cases, selected with a view of illustrating such principles. 5. Equity Pleading and Procedure in State and in United States Courts. Lectures. 6. Civil Procedure under the Codes. Lectures and practical vork, together with a special study of the Code of Civil Procedure, by New York students. 7. Bailments. Lectures and cases. 8. This is a lecture course given by the Dean,