University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education
MLIS, Library & Information Science, June 2011
Law Librarianship Specialization (GPA 3.98)
Comprehensive Exam, Pass with Honors

Select coursework included Legal Research I, Legal Research II, Legal Issues in Information Organizations, Knowledge Management, Reference, Legal Database Research, Online Legal Resources, Transnational Librarianship, Legal Reference & Resources, and Cataloging & Classification.

University of Denver Activities

  • Treasurer, Morgridge College of Education Student Association, University of Denver, 2010 – 2011

Law Librarianship Course Descriptions

Added to LIS offerings in 2009, the Law Librarianship Specialization was one of the most comprehensive law librarianship programs in the country. The DU-LIS Law Librarianship Specialization provided students with the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to succeed in the specialized legal information field. Designed to combine general and subject specific competencies with experiential opportunities, the Law Librarianship Specialization prepared students for work in a variety of legal information settings.

Fall 2009
4750 Legal Research I (3)
Law librarians require a special set of research skills to be effective. This course introduces students to legal materials generated by the Executive/Administrative, Legislative, and Judicial branches of the U.S. government. Students develop research strategies for answering legal questions using primary and secondary resources and learn to relate the various sources of authority to the structure of the U.S. government. Emphasis is placed on print materials and learning foundational research strategies.

Winter 2010
4751 Legal Research II (3)
Building upon the foundations developed in Legal Research I, this course introduces students to advanced research strategies and specialized materials. Students are given complex legal issues to research using a variety of online and print resources. Focus is placed upon developing efficient and cost-effective research techniques and strategies. Prerequisite: LIS 4750

4204 Legal Issues in Info. Org. (3)
This course introduces students to the law as it affects libraries and information organizations. Topics covered include personnel/employment matters, copyright, creative commons licenses, contracts and licensing agreements, digital rights management, privacy concerns, and malpractice issues.

Spring 2010
4756 Legal Database Research (3)
This course introduces students to legal databases. Students examine various databases in detail to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of search functions, evaluate content, accuracy and completeness, and determine which databases meet different needs. Both fee-based and free databases are explored in depth. Prerequisite: LIS 4011

Summer 2010
4700-3 Transnational Librarianship: International and Foreign Legal Research (1)
This course introduces students to concepts and skills used in international and foreign law research. Students learn to construct successful research strategies for questions of foreign law, public international law, and private international law. Both primary and secondary authority are covered in various formats.  Students gain an understanding of how different legal systems and cultures influence the use and assessment of legal resources. The course also equips students to critically evaluate current and future research tools. Pre-requisites LIS4000, LIS4010 and LIS 4750.

4700-7 Online Legal Resources (2)
This course introduces students to a variety of free online legal resources, which can be utilized for conducting cost-effective legal research. Students learn to analyze and critically evaluate whether or not a free online resource provides accurate and reliable information. Students learn to determine which free legal resources are most useful for specific types of information and research needs. Students learn to construct successful search strategies that can be employed to search and find the information required. This course equips students to be aware of the multitude of free online legal resources that exist and to become proficient at teaching other people how to use and search these free online resources.

Fall 2010
LIS 4374 Legal Reference & Resources (3)
This course provides students with an opportunity to explore the unique challenges that reference services pose in a legal environment. Lecture, readings, and class discussions as well as practical experience allow students to synthesize course content. Prerequisite: LIS 4060.The University of Denver’s (DU) Library and Information Science (LIS) program was dedicated to educating the next generation of law librarians. Thanks to a generous grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the DU-LIS program offered two law librarianship study options. Students completing the 58 quarter-hour Masters in Library and Information Science program may earn as MLIS degree with a Law Librarianship Specialization. For students already holding an MLIS or JD degree, the LIS program now offers a Certificate of Advanced Study in Law Librarianship.