030568 KU Discussion, Negotiation and Presentation in English (2019S)

Common law, common language;
uncommon thinking

Most future lawyers will need to work in English. This underlines the hallmark abilities of the legal professional: high language ability combined with exceptional thinking. Regretfully, working in a second language often limits expression and downgrades thinking.

This course, which has proved off-beat and very popular, aims to give you ways to overcome these problems by providing a base for development of your language skills; three scenarios are included - discussion, negotiation, and presentation, with texts and exercises drawn from legal contexts.

But even superb language is of little value unless it is underpinned by clear thought. So the course core includes training in the thinking skills you need - how to engage problems, make arguments, evaluate options, and render opinions using skilful reasoning.

The course is led by David Goulden, a Cambridge qualified barrister and former English newspaper editor. An interactive, tutorial format is used. There is no formal reading list but a wide range of topics is offered with extensive use of audio and video sources.

Discussion - key functions such as expressing and seeking opinions; agreeing and disagreeing; making suggestions and persuading; A group spaghetti building exercise and a survival game provide hands-on experience.

Negotiation: the language of negotiation (outlining proposals, making counter proposals, bargaining etc) and practice of key skills (establishing positions - strengthening yours and weakening the opposition's, trading, closing etc). Role-play client meetings in contract dispute settlements are used in practice sessions.
Presentation: two principal elements. Presenting a landmark case brief; no research is required as emphasis is on body language and voice skills; secondly an exercise in analysing rhetoric.

Critical thinking:one third of the course will be devoted to improving your thinking skills....but through experiential learning, not "teacher talking". Memorisation has many uses but it does not develop the ability to think. Concepts such as Analysis and Evaluation of Arguments will be demonstrated,; there will also be introductions to cognitive concepts such as perception, persuasion and heuristics. you learn in a workshop process so “Bring your brain, not your books. And expect the unexpected!”.
Goals: in language you will acquire tools of practical value which you can upgrade through your professional career. In thinking, the aim is to acquire a "critical spirit - a probing inquisitiveness, a keenness of mind, a zealous dedication to reason, and a hunger or eagerness for reliable information" (Peter Facione).