Infusing Passion and Context into the Traditional Curriculum Through Experiential Learning

Abstract:     
This article argues that infusing experiential education into the traditional law school curriculum can improve law students' learning. Experiential learning can help feed students' souls by nourishing the passions and values that directed them toward law school, provide context for doctrinal learning that will both engage students and help them learn more effectively and assist in providing two-way feedback and assessment for what students are actually learning in the classroom. These effects can help avoid the decline in engagement so typical of the second and third year law student experience. The article provides concrete examples and suggestions for how and when to incorporate experiential learning.

Keywords: legal education, experiential learning, passion, context, simulation, motivation, career satisfaction, spiral curriculum

Accepted Paper Series