Whether you are an advanced law student looking to review the basics, or an aspiring law student looking for a head start, this course will help you build the foundation you will need to succeed in law school and beyond. This course will introduce you to terminology, concepts, and tools lawyers and legal academics use to make their arguments. It will help you follow these arguments—and make your arguments.
This course consists of a series of short lectures and assignments. A reading list complements each lesson, providing you with a roadmap to help you explore the subject matter more deeply on your own. Although the lessons may cross-reference each other, they are modular: you should feel free to approach them in whatever order fits your schedule, interests, and needs.
In today’s competitive legal market, early preparation separates successful candidates from the rest. Yale Law’s prestigious reputation combined with Professor Ayres’ proven teaching methodology gives you an unmatched advantage before you even step into law school. Students who complete this toolkit report feeling significantly more confident during law school applications, interviews, and their first semester coursework. Don’t start law school unprepared – gain the foundational knowledge that sets top performers apart.
Ready to begin your legal education journey with Yale’s expertise? Explore enrollment options and start building your legal foundation today through Coursera’s comprehensive platform.
by SP Aug 6, 2019
A very intriguing and challenging course. The first week was intense, but as the course progressed, it became easier to deal with while also becoming more and more interesting. Great course overall!
by LS Aug 9, 2022
I love Ian Ayres. Thank you, Ian, for starting off my law degree on firm foundations and providing the intellectual kindling for my future learning. You are welcome round at my dinner table, anytime.
by JP Dec 16, 2020
Very informative. Not for a beginner. The readings took much longer than estimated in the syllabus. Peer grading can be challenging. Much heavier workload than I expected, but well worth it.
by DK Aug 10, 2020
Very a very interesting course. I got to learn a lot of new things as well, apart from the basic legal terminologies, and will definitely recommend this course to my colleagues.
Ian Ayres William
K. Townsend Professor, Yale University
**Meet Your Instructor: Professor Ian Ayres**
Ian Ayres, the William K. Townsend Professor at Yale Law School and Anne Urowsky Professorial Fellow in Law, leads this Yale Law Student’s Toolkit. Professor Ayres brings a unique dual expertise, as both a distinguished lawyer and economist, and also serves as a Professor at Yale’s School of Management.
Professor Ayres’s extensive media presence includes his role as a Forbes magazine columnist, public radio’s Marketplace commentator, and contributor to the New York Times’ Freakonomics Blog. His academic authority is demonstrated through 11 published books, including the New York Times bestseller “Super Crunchers,” as well as over 100 scholarly articles that span diverse legal and economic topics.
Beyond academia, Professor Ayres co-founded stickK.com, a goal-achievement platform that demonstrates his commitment to practical applications of behavioral economics. His election to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 2006 underscores his significant contributions to both legal scholarship and economic analysis.
This combination of academic excellence, practical experience, and interdisciplinary expertise makes Professor Ayres uniquely qualified to guide law students through the fundamental concepts and tools essential for legal success.
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