This semester ILS will be scheduling a variety of Aardvarks [on teaching] and Alfies [on research]. Here's what's on tap so far:
1/28 Aardvark on grading.
If you missed it, there is an audio file at http//law.wisc.edu/media/item/aardvark_1_25_web.mp3
Friday 2/1 after the faculty meeting, in Lubar. Aardvark on LEO Groups
Hosted by Peter Carstensen, the Aardvark will be a presentation by the five LEO groups about their activities and interests. Although the faculty has continued to express very strong support for the LEO program, many faculty members are not well informed about what the LEO groups do within the law school and in the community. A representative of each group will make a brief presentation to the faculty about their activities. We will also discuss, again briefly, the things that the LEO committee does to support the overall LEO program. Please come so that you can be better informed about what is happening in our law school.
Monday 2/4 12.30pm in Lubar -- Alfie on Publishing in Law Reviews
As we are moving into the season for submitting to law reviews, it makes sense to continue the discussion we began last semester of strategies for getting your work into law reviews. Please join us for an informal conversation in Lubar on Monday, February 4th, at 1230pm. There won't be any formal agenda or presentation. The purpose is simply to share ideas and experiences. So please bring a lunch and join the discussion.
Friday 2/22 2pm in Lubar -- Alfie on the Ins and Outs of Institutional Review Boards
Are you confused about when you need to get the approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) for your research and why? If so, then join us for an informal discussion of how the human subjects process works. Donna Jahnke -- Asst Dean & Administrator of the Social & Behavioral Science IRB at UW -- will explain what sorts of research needs IRB approval and will help us make sense of the on-line application process. For background, take a look at the website of the Social & Behavioral Science IRB
Thursday 2/28 noon - 1.30 in Lubar -- Aardvark on Student Perspectives on the Classroom Experience
A constructive conversation with our students, to discuss effective teaching methods from a teacher and student perspective. Includes pizza for all faculty and student attendees. The goal is to try to find the common ground which maximizes student learning and teacher performance, and to gain greater understanding of each other's perspective on the educational process.
Friday 2/29 1.30 - 3.00 -- Alfie on Qualitative Methods: Analyzing Law "On the Ground" – Moving Beyond Anecdote in Collecting and Presenting Qualitative Data
Carol Heimer and Beth Mertz will lead a discussion of methodological issues involved in qualitative research that examines people's experience of law and regulation in their everyday experiences. One focus will be how to deal with qualitative data in a systematic way. Questions and comments from the audience are of course very welcome.
Tuesday, 4/1 noon - 1.30 in Lubar -- Aardvark on Grading Guidelines, aka "The Curve"
There is a wide divergence of opinion and experience as to what is required under the guidelines, and about what happens if you turn in grades that fall outside the guidelines. Taking a law in action approach, Walter and Kevin will begin with a discussion of how the system works, from their perspective. We'll then have a conversation about people's experiences, and most importantly, try to come to a common understanding about what the guidelines do and should mean.
Even if you don't usually participate in Aardvarks, if you teach and turn in grades, please join the discussion of this important topic.