All LL.M. students are encouraged to take advantage of the LL.M. Writing Program and the Law Teaching Colloquium to support their academic development.
The LL.M. Writing Program
The LL.M. Writing Program supports students in developing their research and writing skills to complete the LL.M. written work requirement. LL.M. students must complete a paper that involves independent reflection, formulation of a sustained argument, and, in many cases, in-depth research. The program includes non-credit workshops for all students as they plan for and work on their LL.M. papers. Program objectives include:
- To help students conceptualize, research, and produce a significant piece of legal scholarship in accordance with the scale of the project; question, develop a research design, formulate a proposal, and structure the research and writing phases of their projects,
- To introduce students to legal research skills (both U.S. and international) and provide support for exploration of new theoretical and methodological orientations and genres of legal writing,
- To develop peer learning communities, supportive space to develop presentation skills and try out new ideas,
- To provide a platform for S.J.D. students’ mentoring of LL.M. students and strengthen students’ engagement with the resources of the Harvard library system and the HLS reference librarians
In addition to group programming, students may meet individually with their writing advisor and are expected to have at least one individual research consultation with their reference librarian.
“Coworking” sessions and other events are offered throughout the academic year to help students build dedicated writing time into their week and build community and accountability into their writing practice.
Writing Support for LL.M. Students
Additional Graduate Academic Offerings
Law Teaching Colloquium
The Law Teaching Colloquium, co-sponsored by the Graduate Program and the Office of Academic Affairs, is a yearlong series of sessions highlighting various aspects of law teaching. 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.
Byse Workshops
The Byse Workshops, offered in academic areas of particular relevance to graduate students, provide in-depth treatment of the scholarship in their fields. The Workshops, led by the Byse Fellows, meet approximately every one or two weeks during the course of a semester. Discussion is generally organized around reading materials and/or an exposition by a workshop participant or guest speaker. The Workshops are offered on a noncredit basis and are open to all members of the Harvard Community.