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Two
traditions are integral to the mission of the Law School
and the education that Notre Dame law students receive:
These two traditions shape the discourse that occurs
in the classroom, as well as the faculty's commitment
to developing consummate professionals who also question
and explore the values inherent in the law and the legal
system. Both traditions are critical to the Law School's
mission of educating a different kind of lawyer - not
merely an individual competently educated in the practice
of law, but more importantly, a member of a community
who is concerned with securing justice for all of its
members.
The
Catholic Tradition
The Catholic tradition at Notre Dame Law School is the
product of both the University's heritage and the Catholic
intellectual tradition that has developed and been articulated
by such scholars as St. Thomas Aquinas.
The
University of Notre Dame du Lac was established
in 1842
when French missionaries of the order of the Congregation
of Holy Cross established a permanent Catholic presence
in the then untamed prairies of northern Indiana to
bring the Catholic faith to the indigenous people.
Today's
University of Notre Dame is an internationally recognized
teaching and research institution that continues
to be
known for its focus on academics animated by an atmosphere
of faith and spirituality.
Notre
Dame's religious tradition is in contrast to the secular
legal education that is prevalent at other nationally-regarded
law schools in the U.S. The Law School administration
and faculty, men and women of various faith traditions,
are committed to the following principles:
1) moral and religious questions are important, and
no one should apologize for asking them or for taking
such questions seriously;
2) students and faculty should be encouraged to explore
their basic personal commitments, including their commitments
to faith and spirituality, and to relate these commitments
to the secular law principles that form the core of
a legal education;
3) the University and the Law School have an obligation
to assist students and faculty in exploring ways to
integrate faith and spirituality into the study and
practice of law.
In support of these principles, the University and the
Law School foster a Catholic intellectual life for those
who desire to participate in it, while also welcoming
and respecting the faith traditions of all members of
the Notre Dame community.
The
Anglo-American Legal Tradition
The centuries-old Anglo-American legal tradition is
alive within the Notre Dame Law School both in the manner
of the legal education provided as well as in the ultimate
focus of that legal education.
In
the tradition of English and American legal education,
the Notre Dame Law School is a university law school.
As such, legal education at Notre Dame is inspired not
only by the fundamentals of the common law itself, but
also by the rich traditions of other disciplines such
as history, philosophy and theology. Law professors
often teach in other departments or programs. Students
are encouraged to supplement their legal education with
courses in the University's other academic units, and
those with particular interests may design dual-degree
programs with the help of the Law School administration.
Methods
of instruction are both traditional and innovative.
Most required courses, which are taught primarily in
the first and second years, use the case method of instruction.
This method, which is used by most law schools today,
developed in American law schools in the late 19th century.
It has as its focus understanding the law by tracing
its development through the centuries and against various
backdrops such as changing societal norms, shifting
legislative perspectives, and the composition of the
reviewing court.
Elective courses allow students to tailor their legal
education to their particular interests. These electives
use methods of instruction that are both innovative
as well as traditional, tracing their origins to the
practice-oriented apprenticeship or mentoring programs
that are the hallmarks of English and 18th-century American
legal education. The practice-oriented courses, such
as the trial advocacy program and clinical work, offer
students the opportunity to develop practical skills
under the guidance of professors, practicing attorneys
and judges, while the intimate seminar-style specialty
courses offer students the opportunity to explore areas
of specific interest through in-depth research and small-group
discussions guided by an expert in the field.
Perhaps
the most prominent aspect of the Anglo-American legal
tradition at Notre Dame is the focus on law not just
as another job option, but as one of the ancient healing
professions. Like doctors who are called to their vocation
to heal the ills of the body, and like the clergy who
are called to heal the ills of the spirit or soul, Notre
Dame lawyers are called to heal the ills of society
- to seek justice and peace among nations, within communities,
and between individuals.
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