Columbia University's Pre-College Programs offer high-achieving high school students the opportunity to engage in exploratory coursework at the college level, studying alongside peers from around the world. This highly selective program is open to students entering grades 9-12 and freshman year of college.
The program is seeking qualified candidates to develop and teach in-person courses on our Morningside Heights campus for Summer ’25.
Session Dates and Times
Classes are four hours per day from Tuesday, July 22nd to Friday, August 8th.
9:10am - 11:00am & 1:10pm - 3:00pm EST
- OR -
11:10am - 1:00pm & 3:10 - 5:00pm EST
Please Note: Course(s) and course availability is subject to change. Dates and class times are tentative and subject to change.
Course Description
This course focuses on reading case law and interpreting the underlying laws, the research and reasoning that underlie solid legal arguments, and legal writing, while also giving students an inside look at the practice of law today. The course is structured like a traditional introductory first-year law school class.
Students learn first to use the methods and tools of legal reasoning and research, which they marshal to create effective, persuasive, and sophisticated written legal arguments. Once they have a foundation in legal research, reasoning, and writing, they are given an in-depth look at various types of law through interactive sessions with practicing lawyers, via guest speakers and field trips to law firms. They learn how to problem solve using the lawyer’s toolbox and how to analyze legal sources and develop legal arguments based on and supported by the law and cases we research.
In-class drafting and public speaking exercises strengthen participants’ reasoning, argumentation, and writing skills while introducing them to various types of legal work, including written memoranda and arguments for oral delivery.
Responsibilities
- Develop course content, syllabus, lesson plans, and assigned work
- Lead and attend all in-person class sessions
- Establish and maintain a dynamic in-class environment tailored for our high school population
- Evaluate student work and write a holistic evaluation of each participant after the course ends
- Monitor and address student concerns and inquiries (you will have around 20-24 students)
- Attend and complete all required online trainings
Qualifications
- A law degree from an accredited law school
- Expertise in the pertinent subject matter
- Aptitude for teaching
Additional Information
Compensation - $3,000 - $3,500. First time instructors will receive an additional one-time $750 course development fee.
- Applicants must have U.S. work authorization
- Applicants may not hold a concurrent appointment with Columbia for the duration of their appointment
- Once hired, applicants are required to submit to a third party background check and complete Protection of Minors training in addition to other training(s) mandated by the University and Pre-College Program
For more information on the program, hiring process, and compensation, please see here.
