S.J.D. Workshops

Almost all of Harvard's S.J.D. candidates have earned their first degree in law outside the United States and thus bring a range of international and comparative perspectives to HLS. As part of their vibrant collective intellectual life, S.J.D.s organize a number of workshops for the entire HLS community. One S.J.D. observes: "Academic dialog is undoubtedly a multidimensional experience at Harvard. Several intertwined communities... provid[e] the very spaces for individual and collective flourishing that many of us, citizens of Harvard, consider of the essence of our institution." Within these lively and diverse communities, S.J.D.s offer a wide array of events ranging from informal meetings and movie screenings to workshops, colloquia and reading groups. They include:

The Law Teaching Colloquium

The Law Teaching Colloquium is a year-long series of presentations sponsored by the Graduate Program and the J.D. Program, and organized by the S.J.D. community. Sessions promote discussion among students and professors from HLS, Harvard University and beyond, about the nature, structure and aims of legal education. Topics range from methods of teaching and the hiring process to the internationalization of law schools and visions of legal education. The Colloquium is open to all members of the Harvard community. For more information about the 2008-09 Colloquium, please check the Graduate Program calendar of events.

The Byse Workshops

Byse Workshops are named in honor of Byrne Professor of Law Emeritus Clark Byse, and meet approximately every two weeks during the course of a semester. The Workshops, which are open to J.D., LL.M. and S.J.D. students alike, are led by selected S.J.D. students, and provide an in-depth treatment of some aspect of their dissertation scholarship. Participants who wish to write a paper in conjunction with the workshop may be eligible to receive one credit for the paper as long as (a) the paper is at least 25 pages long, and (b) a faculty member acts as the formal supervisor of the paper. The Graduate Program can provide students with further information about how to make such arrangements. There is no need to register for a Workshop in advance. Some of last year's topics included:

Economic and Social Rights: Magical Legal Realism? Katie Young
Market Imperfections, Corruption and Developing Economy Firms A. Hazel Mugo
Law and Politics in the Context of International Trade Regime GangQiao Wang

Information, readings and detailed descriptions of this year's Byse Workshops, including the dates of the workshops, are available from the Graduate Program in Lewis 203.

Many S.J.D.-organized events often spring from comments and suggestions from the rest of the HLS community, including professors, J.D.s and LL.M.s. Those with a particular interest or idea should not hesitate to contact the Graduate Program with suggestions.

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