Rhonda Wasserman Chancellor Nordenberg cited the clear organization, ability to explain difficult concepts and facilitate class discussion among the attributes of award recipient Rhonda Wasserman , School of Law. Her instructional strategies make her students aware of the importance of effective written and oral communication, along with the critical thinking that contributes to both. Rather than lecturing, she engages students in conversations to discuss reading assignments, and, in the process, nurtures precise thinking. She asks questions and probes for more depth and understanding, requiring students to refine and defend their positions. Although first-year law students are required to take a separate course in legal research and writing, Wasserman provides her students with additional writing assignments and comments extensively on them.
Writing is the lawyer s craft.
It s critical that students learn to write effectively. The more feedback they get from a wide range of instructors on works produced in different settings, the better for them. Wasserman s instructional efforts are also evident in her use of computer technology. Several years ago, before the use of software tools like CourseInfo became widespread, Wasserman created Web pages for each of her courses, providing course documents, links to e-mail, class discussion groups and exercises that give students an opportunity to engage and apply their knowledge. I find it very satisfying to work with a new group of students every year, especially first year students, because I can see how their legal reasoning skills develop so dramatically from the beginning of the first term to the end of the second term.