Teaching Is Our Calling: Do Something Worthwhile!

• Published date: 01 June 2012
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-1722.2012.01111.x
• Author: Peter J. Shedd
• Date: 01 June 2012

Journal of Legal Studies Education

Volume 29, Issue 2, 363–368, Summer/Fall 2012

Perspectives on Teaching

Teaching Is Our Calling: Do

Something Worthwhile!

Peter J. Shedd*

There are many who are better suited than I am to write an article on teaching.

My sole qualification to join the list of distinguished colleagues who have

written previously in this space is my longevity. I have had the very good

fortune to teach legal studies–related courses at the undergraduate and MBA

levels since 1978. Actually, my teaching career began even earlier when I

served as a teaching assistant during my last year of law school in 1976–77.

Thinking back to those initial classroom experiences, I can only hope that

my students’ memories have faded with their advancing years. I recall being

scared and unsure of myself. In fact, my very first memory in the classroom is

being so nervous that I could not distribute the (then) paper syllabus without

extreme, noticeable shaking.

Suffice it to say, I am humbled by the opportunity to share some

thoughts about teaching via this forum. I have chosen to dedicate this ar-

ticle to my reflections and to offer words of encouragement. Others have

offered a more research-oriented approach. While there are many resources

that have served me well over the years, I trust you will not mind the fact that I

am not citing these sources in the hope of increasing readability. I accept full

responsibility for what is expressed here. Past mentors and historical research

have shaped my views, but they are not to blame for any shortcomings in this

article.

Initial Approach

I recall how I approached each class I initially taught. Believing/fearing that

I lacked enough to say about the assigned topic, I remember thinking I

∗University Professor of Legal Studies Emeritus, Terry College of Business, University of Georgia

and Visiting Professor of Business Law, Ross School of Business University of Michigan.

C2012 The Author

Journal of Legal Studies Education C2012 Academy of Legal Studies in Business

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