National Jurist - January 2008 - (Page 30) Most Political Continued from page 26 ing for the most liberal students is an “honored title.” She said they feel they’ve earned their political label. As for the difference in the environment of a law school based off of the political spectrum, Soto-Vigil said students interested in utilizing the law for a progressive agenda should attend a more liberal law school. “Law by nature is conservative,” SotoVigil said. “The institution of teaching law is conservative, but I think our school does a great job of teaching a progressive style of teaching law.” Fitting the mold While some students feel comfortable expressing their ideas at their law school, there is concern among legislators that other students may not. This gave rise to legislation that would require public and Summer Sessions in D.C. May 27–June 13, 2008 How will your summer prepare you for practice? GAIN UP TO 6 CREDITS IN 3 WEEKS AND NETWORK WITH LEADING PRACTITIONERS International Arbitration Summer Session Environmental Law Summer Session • Nuts and Bolts of International Commercial Arbitration • Bilateral Investment Treaty Arbitration • How to Conduct an Intl. Arbitration Proceeding • International Arbitration and Choice-of-Law Issues • Salient Issues in ICC Arbitration • Arbitraje Comercial Internacional (available only in Spanish) www.wcl.american.edu/arbitration • Climate Change and Emissions Trading • Environmental Law & the U.S. Congress • Environmental Advocacy • International Law of Biodiversity • Trade & the Environment in the Americas • Intl. Institutions and Environmental Protection • Environmental Compliance and Enforcement www.wcl.american.edu/environment/summer E-mail: summer@wcl.american.edu • Phone: 202.274.4321 EO/AA University and Employer BRIDGE U.S. AND LATIN AMERICAN LEGAL CULTURES IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA WITH THE LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER May 12 - 31, 2008 The LSU Law Center is offering an innovative summer program in Buenos Aires, Argentina in association with Austral University. Running from May 12 - May 31, 2008, this program offers students the opportunity to earn 4 credits in just three weeks, and be back home in time to take advantage of internship or clerking offers. Learn more about our program at: www.law.lsu.edu/austral CONTACT INFORMATION: Agustin.Parise@law.lsu.edu 225/578-1126 private institutions to adopt policies recognizing an “academic bill of rights” for students and faculty. In 2003, the Academic Bill of Rights was created and distributed by Students for Academic Freedom, a public advocacy group spun off from the Center for the Study of Popular Culture, a think tank founded by former left-wing turned rightwing activist and writer David Horowitz. The document was created as a foundational part of SAF’s mission, to “end the political abuse of the university and to restore integrity to the academic mission as a disinterested pursuit of knowledge.” Pointing to the ideological agenda of the bill’s drafters and supporters, a number of organizations have come out in strong opposition, expressing pointed criticism of both its aims and its content. The critics come from both the political left and right. Brauch said students from all political and legal perspectives are welcomed and affirmed at Regent. Every year, the school is ranked in The Princeton Review’s top 10 for student quality of life. “This shows that our students and professors from all backgrounds and views value — and are valued in — the learning environment,” he said. Latham said their organizing principle is that successful law students become successful attorneys because of, not in spite of, their access to a broad range of viewpoints. That is evident, he said, in Alabama’s alumni that includes Republican Sens. Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions as well as Morris Dees and Joe Levin, founders of the Southern Poverty Law Center, one of the most progressive advocacy centers in the nation. Broderick said those who choose to attend UDC will be surrounded by students who chose the law school because they didn’t want to leave the work they were involved in — their passion. Moderate students tend to change their perspective after engaging in the curriculum, Soto-Vigil said. As for inhibiting professional experiences, he said UDC has encouraged the opportunities he’s looking for. “The first year students have a lot of learning to do,” Soto-Vigil said. “They ask ‘Why aren’t corporate law firms looking here? For those students this isn’t the institution.” ■ 30 THE NATIONAL JURIST January 2008 http://www.wcl.american.edu/arbitration http://www.wcl.american.edu/environment/summer http://www.law.lsu.edu/austral http://www.law.lsu.edu/austral
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