The study of law in the United States is unlike that in most other countries. With the exception of a mandatory introduction course covering the basics of U.S. law, LL.M. students generally take classes alongside their J.D. counterparts. Depending on the policies of the school, special LL.M. seminars may also be offered, but may be open to J.D. students as well. Secondly, American legal education is far more participatory than the traditional lecture method used in civil law education. All students are expected to read the assignments and take part in discussions.
Many professors consider class participation to be an integral component of the final class grade.
A word about assigned readings. The necessity of reading English quickly and with good comprehension cannot be over stressed in order to succeed in graduate study in the United States. Typical reading assignments may range between fifteen and sixty pages per class. I have had international friends tell me that the most difficult part of their LL.M. experience was trying to complete all the reading assignments. American law school classes are taught either as lecture courses, or smaller seminar courses.