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July 22, 2021 - August 6, 2021

Legal Foundations is a non-degree, non-credit summer enrichment program that surveys US law and American legal training for individuals currently studying, or who have studied, law outside of the United States. Emory Law is pleased to offer this program to our admitted students to help you prepare for your Emory Law experience. Registration will be restricted to students who have submitted an intent to enroll and deposit for one of Emory Law's programs and plan to matriculate in the fall term. Priority for registration will be given to those who register for the program before June 2021.  Students may register beyond that date only if space remains in the program.

Program Profile

  • Virtual classes four hours per day 
  • Virtual field trips may be included in the program 
  • Course hours (July 22 to August 6):
    Overview of American History: 12:00pm (EST) to 2:00pm (EST)
    Academic Legal English: 4:00pm (EST) to 6:00pm (EST)

Fees

The fee for the 2021 Legal Foundations program is US$2,900 and includes all texts and course materials.


Course Materials

Each participant will receive the program course books, which contains all materials for the three-week course. Videos and internet materials will also be used as needed.

Course Overview

PreparationSkillsTopics

The Socratic Method

The Case Method

Online Research

Online Classrooms

Honor Codes

Plagiarism

Listening to Lectures

Effective Note-taking

Strategic Reading Approaches

Presenting in Public

US Communication Styles and Cultural Expectations

Overview of the US Legal System

  • Constitutional Law & US History
  • Contracts
  • Partnerships & Corporations
  • Civil Rights

Housing

There is no housing offered through Emory University this summer. 

Transportation

Although courses are virtual, students may wish to visit Emory's campus prior to orientation. Emory is well connected to the greater Atlanta area, so there are many ways to get to and from campus.

  • The Emory Cliff Shuttle system is free for students and offers routes to and from the Legal Foundations Program on-campus housing, hospitals, grocery stores, shopping centers, malls, the Clairmont campus, and many other locations.
  • Also check out Bike Emory for bicycling programs.
  • If you choose to drive your own car to campus, note that parking on the Emory campus is either designated for visitors or requires a valid permit. Visit Emory's Parking Services site for information on parking registration, locations, rates, and parking rules and regulations.
  • MARTA, Atlanta’s public bus and rail service, has stops throughout the city. Check out rates and find a stop near you.
  • We recommend that students who arrive to Atlanta via ATL Hartsfield take taxis to transfer to the campus or housing location. Please advise the Legal Foundations Program staff of your arrival flight information and time.

Registration and Visa Information

The registration link for the 2021 Legal Foundations program is available online and includes payment processing for the program. 

Incoming Emory Law students are able to enter the US with their I-20s thirty (30) days before the first day of their program (date marked on their I-20). For Emory Law students, the I-20 date will be August 10, 2020.


I want to strongly encourage you to take Legal Foundations; it is very well worth the cost. Based on past experience, students who have taken the Legal Foundations course have performed far better in my American Legal Writing, Analysis, and Research (ALWAR) class, both Parts 1 and 2. In addition, I understand from many of the students that they had an easier time in their other law school classes because of the concepts and knowledge gained from Legal Foundations.

Prof. Nancy Daspit, ALWAR Professor