Risks and rewards of Externships: exploring goals and methods

Authors

  • Linda F. Smith University of Utah
  • Jeff Giddings Monash University
  • Leah Wortham Catholic University of America

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19164/ijcle.v24i3.667

Abstract

Externships or field placement programs involve students placed away from the law school and supervised by a person who is not employed by the law school. Externships offer many potential rewards for students as well as other stakeholders, including especially community institutions. But there are also risks—risks that the externship will be expected to accomplish too much with too few resources or that the externship program will be held back in the potential for contribution due to inadequate imagination or planning. This article seeks to encourage externship teachers to put aside assumptions that are sometimes made about how externship programs “should be” and consider some alternative approaches to course design and possible goals for externship courses.

Author Biographies

Linda F. Smith, University of Utah

James T. Jensen Professor of Law and Clinical Program Director, S.J. Quinney College of Law, University of Utah

Jeff Giddings, Monash University

Professor of Law and Director, Monash Oakleigh Legal Service

Leah Wortham, Catholic University of America

Professor Emerita of Law, Columbus School of Law, The Catholic University of America

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Published

2017-12-20

Issue

Section

Reviewed Articles