CURRICULUM

CHH program offers a rigorous introduction to the study of law.  It's orientation familiarizes students with the legacy and substantial legal accomplishments of Charles Hamilton Houston.  In the following seven weeks, student experience a demanding series of course work, assignments, and lecturers.

CHH Professors include a list of accomplished and dedicated African-American lawyers and educators.  Their lectures are augmented by lecturers and assistance from a myriad of other lawyers, educators, and judges.  CHH lecturers and guest speakers include, but are not limited to the following:  The late Wiley Branton, Jimmy Cobb, Attorney William Coleman, the Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton, Attorney James Brittain, Attorney Lennox Hinds, Attorney Angela Davis, the Honorable Judge William Pryor, and the Honorable Alexander Williams.

During the first week of the program students are introduced to the American judicial system, the civil litigation process, legal vocabulary and develop a practical and insightful technique to case analysis.

During the second week, students are introduced to legal research  and legal writing and their first substantive law class, Civil Procedure. 

In the following weeks, CHH lectures cover torts, contracts, criminal procedure, and Appellate advocacy.  In addition to writing Appellate briefs, students are required to present oral arguments to a team of attorneys and/or judges.  Moreover, students are required to take three law school examinations. 

All classes are held in the evening, Monday through Friday, which allows some students to work.  There are also occasional Saturday morning classes.  Classes are held at Georgetown University Law Center, 600 New Jersey Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C.

Introduction to the Study of Law

The first week of the CHH program covers an in-depth Introduction to the Study of Law.  During this class, students are introduced to American jurisprudence, federal and state court systems, critical legal vocabulary, the civil litigation process, and case analysis methods.  Students are assigned specific readings in Statsky on Case Analysis and also required to brief the reported Dred Scott case.  This CHH segment provides students a preliminary understanding of civil procedure and civil litigation, a sound framework for development of legal analysis techniques and management of law school expectations. 

Legal Analysis & Writing

This course instructs students on the skill of legal analysis, both case law and statutory interpretation. Students learn reasoning by deduction as it is used in legal analysis.  Writing assignments are given out after each class.  For the final assignment, students are required to write a legal memorandum.