Business Law Professors' Research Accepted for Publication

By Brandon Wallace '17

The latest research by Foster College of Business faculty Dr. Tanya Marcum and Dr. Sandra Perry has been accepted for publication in the Journal of Legal Studies Education. This research focuses on the flipped classroom approach in law courses.

This educational approach changes from the instructor-centric model to one that both students and professors anticipate and enjoy and can move the students from passive to active learning. It does this by implementing discussion of current events, classroom participation by the students, application of legal principles to business problems through group exercises, student preparedness and an overall enjoyment of each class period by both the professor and students.

“Prior to flipping our class, lectures were common and students sometimes worked in small groups to complete exercises applying the principles to fact scenarios,” the researchers said. “In addition, students read and briefed court cases. We explored additional pedagogical styles to find a method to motivate students to better prepare for class and gain a better understanding of the legal topics. The flipped method was the perfect format.”

Readings and assignments are done outside class time so the time together can be dedicated to application of the material. The flipped course allows students to pace themselves and be rewarded for actual learning.

“We have spent a lot of time and effort into flipping our Legal Environment of Business classrooms,” Marcum and Perry said, “So it is very rewarding to have this article that describes our research and efforts published in the Journal of Legal Studies Education, a premier journal in the field of legal education.”

The Journal of Legal Studies Education is one of the two journals of the Academy of Legal Studies. They expect the paper to be published by summer.