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All RISE Summer Program

Reflecting, Improving, and Striving for Excellence

Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University faculty have designed this new interactive program specifically to help incoming first-year students develop the skills they need to succeed on day one of law school. The All RISE (Reflecting, Improving, and Striving for Excellence) Summer Program will introduce students to the U.S. legal system, sources of law, and the role of the lawyer as an advisor and problem-solver. It will also guide students in developing critical reading, case-briefing, legal reasoning, and other essential skills. There is no cost for the program. The All RISE Summer Program is replacing JD Jumpstart

The All RISE Summer Program will be offered exclusively online over seven weeks, from Tuesday, June 18, through Tuesday, July 30, with one 90-minute interactive virtual session each week. 

The interactive sessions will take place via Zoom on Tuesdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time.

All incoming first-year students should participate in the All RISE Summer Program to lay the foundation and build skills essential for a successful and rewarding first year of law school. Students who satisfactorily complete the program will earn special Duquesne Kline swag, a certificate, and a credential for their resumes. Students who cannot attend the interactive sessions in real-time can still satisfactorily complete the program by watching the recordings and submitting additional assignments related to the covered material.   

Together, we’ll be “Reflecting, “Improving,” and “Striving for Excellence” even before your first day of law school! 

Note: Please hold off on contacting faculty for information on advanced assignments, textbooks, and syllabi, etc.  When this information is available you will be notified via your duq.edu email.

How to Access All RISE Summer Program

Accessing All RISE Summer Program

Module 1

The first week’s materials and Zoom link will be shared in advance by email. This will occur after you are registered for classes.*

*The Law School Registrar enrolls all incoming students for classes on June 17, 2024.  

Module 2-7

The materials and links for Modules 2-7 will be accessible via Canvas, by navigating to the “Modules” and “Zoom Meetings” tabs, respectively, of the Duquesne Kline Academic Excellence Programming site.

Steps:

You will be notified via email when you registered for classes.* After you are registered, you will be able to access Canvas in Duquesne Portal using your MultiPass.

*Be registered for Fall 2024 classes by the Law School Registrar

  1. Set up your MultiPass Account if you have not done so (Click "Claim Account or Forgot Your Password?" to set up your account)
  2. Log into Duquesne Portal using your MultiPass
  3. Click on Quick Links in the upper right-hand corner
  4. Select "Canvas"** 
  5. Choose the "ORG-Duquesne Kline Academic Excellence " Canvas page on your Dashboard
  6. Click on "Modules" and "Zoom Meetings" tab to access "All RISE Summer Program"

**Canvas will not be available until Tuesday, June 18, 2024. 

Topics

Week 1 (June 18): Welcome & Introduction to the U.S. Legal System, Sources of Law, and Basic Legal Vocabulary
Week 2 (June 25): Introduction to the Lawyer’s Role & Responsibilities: Serving Clients Ethically as an Advisor & Problem-Solver
Week 3 (July 2): Introduction to Legal Reasoning: What Does It Mean to “Think Like a Lawyer”?
Week 4 (July 9): Foundational Skills: Reading Legal Authorities Critically & For Comprehension
Week 5 (July 16): Foundational Skills: Making Connections Between Authorities & Briefing Cases
Week 6 (July 23): Foundational Skills: Understanding the Basics of Written Legal Analysis
Week 7 (July 30): Foundational Skills: Self-Assessment, Resourcefulness, Professionalism & Cultivating a Growth Mindset

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Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University

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