Goodbye and good luck

Goodbye and good luck Last lecture for the semester Spring 2014

Last lecture • Wrapping up our course – handout on Jerome Frank (optional, extra reading if you want to write an essay on Legal Realism it might be useful) • Grades for coursework…should be up on Tuesday…as soon as I get the official attendance records • I will Tweet as soon as grades are posted – my Twitter account is @MyraWilliamson • Hand back presentations/grades today (except attendance) • Share some advice and videos of interest • Class survey (WaelBadawy will come to administer)

Equal pay for equal work • In the US, women currently earn on average 77 cents in the dollar compared to men • Should there be equal pay for equal work? Maybe not – it would be bad for romance! • An educational video on equal pay for women… • http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/5mf7zk/phyllis-schlafly-vs--equal-pay-for-women

Race…racism is over • The US is now in a ‘post-racial’ era • The US Supreme Court on 24 April 2014 has upheld a Michigan state law that does away with affirmative action • See a link here: http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/apr/22/us-supreme-court-michigan-affirmative-action • See some commentary and background here: http://www.theguardian.com/law/2014/apr/22/affirmative-action-us-supreme-court-division-racial-issues • And a serious critique here: http://thecolbertreport.cc.com/videos/2c27q9/supreme-court-s-affirmative-action-ban

World’s tallest building under construction in Jeddah: Kingdom Tower in Jeddah ..

1000 metres tall - 1.23 Billion US dollars to build • Will be taller than the current tallest building in Dubai by 173 extra metres • Why are they building it? • The chief of Jeddah Economic Company, MounibHammoud, told Arab News last week:

"The Kingdom Tower and City project is geared for Saudis, Saudi tourism, Saudi way of life, and nationals and religious visitors. Now, there is no destination for tourism in Arab world. Many people go to Dubai now, but once the project is ready they would like to stay in Saudi Arabia.” http://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/9985678/All-eyes-turn-to-worlds-tallest-building

Then tell me about the signs of the hour (Qiyamah) Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) replied : "That slave women give birth to their mistresses; and that you see barefoot, unclothed, beginning shepherds competing in the construction of tall buildings." (Sahih Muslim) Source: http://www-islamonline-jehan.blogspot.com/2013/06/rise-of-desert-bedouins-and-end-of.html

And now for more serious stuff…

The Exam

Here are the questions for the exam… Just joking… Here’s what I CAN tell you…

The Exam • Wednesday 7th May at 9.30am • The structure of the final • Part A – 20 marks – MCQs and short answer, covers the whole course • Part B – 20 marks – Essay – choices from Natural Law, Legal Positivism, both NL and LP combined • Part C – 20 marks – Essay – choices from Legal Realism, Critical Legal Studies, Feminist Legal Theory, Critical Race Theory

On exam day • Arrive early! • Bring several pens • Stay as along as you can • Don’t rush – you will have plenty of time • Plan your essays – don’t just start writing • Make sure you answer the question (do not memorise and write down what you have memorised) • Go back and check that you have answered everything before you leave

How do I get an ‘A’? • 1. Knowledge – demonstrate your understanding • 2. Critical thinking - analysis and synthesis of ideas

Study tips • Study from the slides and handouts but try to go beyond them – read some of the readings I have mentioned during the course – Raymond Wacks’ books are quite good • Read the news here and overseas to pick up examples • Read, read, read • Immerse yourself in the material – think about it even when you are not studying • Talk to other people about the material • Figure out what you know by practicing writing essays – choose questions from past exams • Put yourself in my shoes • Tell me something new!

Advice: keep it in perspective • Study hard….But keep things in perspective • Get some exercise • Keep your long-term goals in mind… • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF8uR6Z6KLc

Thank you! Thank you for sharing this semester with me!

I have enjoyed getting to know you all…

I am really looking forward to reading your exams… especially the essays…

Do spend some time studying on your own… Do try to find other students to study with… Do set up a time to chat with others, in Arabic or in English, about the material Do look at old questions, at your mid-term, and try to write answers to the essay questions you find there

But don’t lose your perspective…it’s just an exam

If you need anything, or you have any questions, email me drmyrawilliamson@gmail.com anytime… Or come to my office…I will be there at the usual class time this Wednesday…after than you can make an appointment by email

And remember… Bear with patience whatever befalls you...." (Qur'an 31:17) and "Be not sad, surely Allah is with us." (Qur'an 9:40)

And don’t forget to come to New Zealand one day… http://www.newzealand.com/int/ Come see my country… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh-0knDpn5g 4.22 There are lots of things to do and see http://www.newzealand.com/int/things-to-do/

See you later. Assalamalaikumwarahmatulawabaraktoh For truly with hardship comes ease; truly with hardship comes ease. (Surat al-Inshirah: 5-6)

Goodbye and good luck