Target Audience: Legal research teachers, whether beginning, advanced, or subject-specific
Learning Outcomes:
1) Participants will be able to create and implement lessons that make more effective and appropriate use of pop culture references to teach legal research.
2) Participants will be able to explain the pedagogical advantages of using pop culture and humor in the classroom.
“I’m Just a Bill.” Marcia Clark being schooled during the OJ trial for not Shepardizing. Pop culture is full of examples of legal research, but the value such examples actually add to our lessons is rarely assessed. The program speakers will begin with a discussion of the pedagogical support for using culturally familiar characters and settings in the classroom, and then provide examples and demonstrate best practices for prepping and integrating video clips, songs, comics, and other pop culture references into a legal research lesson. These best practices include selection of references familiar to the audience and use of technology to prepare and deliver the lessons. The speakers will also discuss their experiences using pop culture and how to avoid potential risks when implementing this technique in the classroom. Lastly, this session will also address how using pop culture and humor can humanize teachers to students, encourage student participation in what many see as a “boring” class, and foster collaboration among instructors.