Are Tape Recorders Allowed in Law School?

[Zergiobest]

I am an undergrad so I don't know how things go in law school. Does anyone ever tape record professors lectures? One of my friends is an international affairs major and records all of his lectures and stores them on his computer. Would this be a good idea for law school?
Thanks.

[Alergeniikop]

Hell, if you've sat through the class once, it's not going to be any more interesting a second time listening to it. I think it's a complete waste of time to be recording classes in law school...time that could be spent drinking. Or watching TV. Okay, or studying. Thing is, a recorded class is only going to do you any good if you actually miss it. And still, you can get the notes from a few classmates to pick up all the key material from that class.

[fierorora]

At my school, student tape recording is not allowed. I don't think there's much of a reason for this - just to protect the school against black-market distribution of the product: a legal eduction. (a somewhat silly rationale)

However, if you're going to miss a class, you can ask the professor to have it taped. There's an A/V department that will (supposedly) record the class for you so that you can listen later. Professors often volunteer this for review sessions and commonly missed days (like Jewish holidays).

Remember that law school classes aren't taught like college classes. The professor asks questions of the students instead of lecturing. Class is as much about quick thinking and participation as it is about information gathering.

[outlines]

Each professor is different on this point and I recommend you ask your professor at the start of the semester. If you are not allowed to use a tape recorder and are afraid of missing something in class, find an outline for that class online, I think Outlines has them free. Enjoy!