1. Meeting Times
Our class meets on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:15.
2. Required Materials
The required materials in this course are: (1) Dorsaneo et al, Texas Civil Procedure: Trial and Appellate Practice (4th ed. 2001) and the most recent supplement ; and (2) any version of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure and Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure. Be sure that you have the most recent version of the rules. For quick access to all of the rules cited in the casebook, Professor Mark Steiner of South Texas Law School has put together a nifty chart with links to the text of the rules at his website.
3. Grading
Your final grade in this class will have two basic components. For the most part, your grade will be based on the final examination, which will contain multiple choice and short answer questions. The exam is open book. In addition, you can gain or lose points from your final grade based on class participation, which includes attendance, preparation, and participation in class discussion.
4. Coverage
We will cover parts of chapters 1 through 11 of the casebook. If time permits we will also cover chapter 12.
5. Classroom Etiquette
Normally, a student is expected to arrive on time for class, to remain throughout the class, and to leave only when class has ended. If an emergency, illness, or other circumstance makes it impossible for you to meet these expectations, please let me know, either before class begins, or as soon as possible after it ends. If you are ill, and may need to leave during class, I can temporarily assign you to a more convenient seat.
6. Noisy Toys
Before each class begins, please disconnect all audible signals on watches, computers, cell phones, beepers, or any other noisemaking device. If you are using a computer in class, you should be using it only for class work.
7. Contacting Me
My office is located in room 204 Storey Hall. You can reach me by phone at 214-768-2613, or by sending email to ethornbu@mail.smu.edu. Please feel free to drop by or to make an appointment to see me. I'm also happy to answer simply questions by email.
8. Disability Accommodations
If you need academic accommodations for a disability, you must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4563) to verify the disability and to establish eligibility for accommodations. Then you should schedule an appointment with Associate Dean DeLoach to make appropriate arrangements.