Gonzaga Law School Launches First-Ever Intersession Week
Not only will Gonzaga Law School commence the academic year with its highest total student enrollment since 2005, but it will also start implementing several new curriculum reforms designed to better equip students for the NextGen Bar exam. Among these changes are an adjustment to the academic calendar and the introduction of a new Intersession Week at the start of each semester. The Intersession Week will provide a mini-term that allows Gonzaga Law School to offer one-credit intensive courses, clinic and externship orientation, career development services, public service opportunities, mission formation experiences, and study abroad options. The Fall 2024 Intersession Week will take place the week of August 26th, with regular courses beginning on September 3rd, the Tuesday after Labor Day.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Program Innovation Agnieszka McPeak is excited for students to experience the changes and shared, “The addition of Intersession Week at the start of each semester allows us to offer students a range of credit-bearing and extracurricular opportunities that focus on experiential learning, career readiness, and community-building, while our new academic calendar provides a better-paced experience throughout the semester.”
The incoming 1L class of over 190 students will participate in a welcoming and informative three-day orientation during the Intersession Week. 2L and 3L students have the option to take one of four unique 1-credit courses:
AI and the Legal Profession
This course examines the impact of generative AI on individual rights, business, technology, and the legal profession, covering AI basics, bias, and civil rights. It includes industry case studies like deepfakes and predictive policing, with a focus on AI’s legal ethics implications.
Civil Discovery Practicum
Students will gain practical, hands-on training in primary written discovery procedures in federal court. The course covers drafting and responding to interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and requests for physical and mental examinations.
Intellectual Property Practice Simulation
This online course uses a focused simulation to introduce students to USPTO practice, covering ethics, prior art search software, docketing systems, and examiner interviews. It includes a mock file for a simulated client and a mock Examiner interview experience.
Law and Leadership
Leadership in the legal field will be highlighted in this course, from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering topics like leadership skills, ethics, and challenges.
In addition to the courses listed above, students have opportunities to learn and expand their knowledge with a wide range of enriching activities happening in the law school building. For students who want to connect with professors post-summer, there will be coffee with advisors on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, there will be ice cream socials, presentations on health and wellness and life after graduation. There is something for every student to participate in and begin the school year on a good note. We look forward to offering a variety of specialty opportunities for students every Intersession Week. Gonzaga Law School is excited to see students at some of these events next week and wishes them all the best as they prepare for their first year or return to campus.
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Program Innovation Agnieszka McPeak is excited for students to experience the changes and shared, “The addition of Intersession Week at the start of each semester allows us to offer students a range of credit-bearing and extracurricular opportunities that focus on experiential learning, career readiness, and community-building, while our new academic calendar provides a better-paced experience throughout the semester.”
The incoming 1L class of over 190 students will participate in a welcoming and informative three-day orientation during the Intersession Week. 2L and 3L students have the option to take one of four unique 1-credit courses:
AI and the Legal Profession
This course examines the impact of generative AI on individual rights, business, technology, and the legal profession, covering AI basics, bias, and civil rights. It includes industry case studies like deepfakes and predictive policing, with a focus on AI’s legal ethics implications.
Civil Discovery Practicum
Students will gain practical, hands-on training in primary written discovery procedures in federal court. The course covers drafting and responding to interrogatories, requests for production, requests for admission, and requests for physical and mental examinations.
Intellectual Property Practice Simulation
This online course uses a focused simulation to introduce students to USPTO practice, covering ethics, prior art search software, docketing systems, and examiner interviews. It includes a mock file for a simulated client and a mock Examiner interview experience.
Law and Leadership
Leadership in the legal field will be highlighted in this course, from an interdisciplinary perspective, covering topics like leadership skills, ethics, and challenges.
In addition to the courses listed above, students have opportunities to learn and expand their knowledge with a wide range of enriching activities happening in the law school building. For students who want to connect with professors post-summer, there will be coffee with advisors on Wednesday and Thursday. In addition, there will be ice cream socials, presentations on health and wellness and life after graduation. There is something for every student to participate in and begin the school year on a good note. We look forward to offering a variety of specialty opportunities for students every Intersession Week. Gonzaga Law School is excited to see students at some of these events next week and wishes them all the best as they prepare for their first year or return to campus.