We had received a Law School letter in August with "Preliminary Information" which generally described the seminars of the Introductory Block and the classes for the remainder of the semester.

On October 4, 1973, these were our classes: "Regulation of Economic Activity: Real Property Law", "Social Decision-Making: Judicial", "Legal Education and the Profession", "Clinical Project/ Legal Method Seminar", "Student Workshop" and "Modern Methodology".

Translation: Real Property, Civil Procedure, Legal Profession Overview and Seminar(s).  Could "Modern Methodology" be translated?  Patience!

The photo below shows our "text book" for this class, surely an example that "a picture is worth a thousand words".  This tome weighed ten pounds as shown.  In the foreground of the photo is Prof. Hopkins 53-page critique of our final exam.  It included two samples he considered to be good answers.  More on this in the next chapter.

Also after the introductory block, assistant professor of law and librarian Jerome Dupont taught "Methods of Effective Legal Research" which was part of the Clinical Project/ Legal Method Seminar without separate credit.  We initially met in six separate groups with Prof. Dupont in the Hamilton Library .

We were supplied with concise handouts describing source of legal research and had two legal research exercises.  In 1973, our research resources were limited to books and journals - microfilm was eventually available as "high-tech" medium.  

This was a useful and very practical course.  Currently, online sources have undoubtedly made our '70s research techniques "old school".

"Regulation of Economic Activity: Real Property Law" was our course in real property law. It likely was the most traditional - we had to buy an (actual) property law book: Berger & Williams "Property: Land Ownership and Use."  Professor Gordon supplemented this book with relevant handouts - only a fraction of the Modern Methodology quantity!  After a few weeks, we had a practice quiz.  The final exam had a similar format - four questions to be answered in three hours.  We received sample answers and general comments on the exam from Prof. Gordon at the end of December - only five pages.  The next chapter will show a vivid contrast to the 53-page sample answers for Modern Methodology!  This again was a useful and practical course.  

"Legal Education and the Profession" was taught by Dean David Hood.  This course was entirely based on copied articles from books and journals:  "Tentative Course Materials".  This title page notes these would be "trial" materials "preparatory to ultimate publications in a revised format, to emerge from our collectives academic experience".  Aside from the stated "experimental" nature of the material, this course seemed to be a useful experience.  We had periodic assignments and the course continued into the spring semester.

"Social Decision-Making: Judicial" was taught by Professor Richard Miller.  As above, this course was primarily based on copied articles from books and journals:  "Tentative Course Materials".  This title page notes these would be "trial" materials", preparatory to ultimate publications in a revised format, to emerge from our collectives academic experience".  In addition to the copied material, we were told to purchase both the federal and Hawaii rules of civil procedure. We were also encouraged to consult with three standard texts on civil procedure. Multiple copies of these texts would be available in our library. Aside from the stated "experimental" nature of the copied material, the course seemed to be a useful learning experience.  

Seminars Continued

To augment the Real Property course, the separate seminars continued to meet, still focusing on the Kahaluu Flood Control Project but now the issue was the ownership of newly created land in Kaneohe Bay if the FCP carried silt from the floodplain.  

Another seminar exercise required development of oral arguments on an issue of civil procedure - the fictional case concerned the admissibility of oral recollections of a Kaneohe Bay fishpond "ownership".

A further seminar task was slanted towards Modern Methodology: write an eight-page report, applying logic and other MM techniques on the relation of the "Atlas of Kaneohe Bay" to the Kahaluu Flood Control Project dispute.

The final seminar task would be a "judicial process" problem - each student would develop a 30 minute oral argument between December 3 and December 10 or 12 for presentation against other seminar members. 

The Traditional Final Exams

As expected, the semester ended with final exams in December.

"Social Decision-Making: Judicial" (Civil Procedure) was a three-part, open-book exam which we were told could be answered in 3 hours, but up to 6 hours would be allowed.  This exam is listed on the Sources page.  Prof. Miller later provided us his comments on our answers and sample acceptable answers in an 18-page handout.  Fair enough!

"Regulation of Economic Activity: Real Property Law" was a four-part exam for which we were allowed 3 hours.   This exam is listed on the Sources page.  In late December, Prof. Gordon provided us with an 5-page handout of suggested answers and his comments.  No controversy!

To aid our recovery, "Some Law Students" sent a memo to "All Law Students" about a "Fall '73 Buffet Lunch" scheduled after the last final on December 2.  For $3.00, there was beer on tap, vodka and mixers, soda, meatballs, teriyaki, chicken, shrimp tempura, sushi, noodles and salad.  It was a good deal and much fun!

The entire next chapter explains the controversial Modern Methodology final exam.