LAWS 3327 Applied Legal Concepts

Applied Legal Concepts (ALC) identifies select core legal concepts tested on the Multistate Bar Exam (" MBE") portion of the bar exam, and it develops strategies for applying these concepts effectively particularly in a high-stakes testing environment. Some of the legal concepts may have been introduced in other courses, but the emphasis in ALC is on a review of the most highly tested legal concepts from the MBE subjects through exercises specifically designed and scaffolded to help students develop the strategic mindset essential for success on the multiple choice portion of the bar examination. The ALC courses are offered in the fall and the spring semesters and are reserved for 3Ls. Each course focuses on a different set of MBE subjects and course materials for both courses include access to an online early bar preparation portal. While the materials are similar to the materials that students will use when they are studying for the bar examination after graduation, they contain additional exercises to help students break down the mental process necessary to effectively answer multiple choice questions in a high stakes testing environment. Students have access to substantive outlines, lecture handouts, video lectures, and MBE questions. The course is NOT a substitute for a summer bar prep course, but rather is an opportunity to develop skills essential for success with live professor feedback and at a pace not available during the intense 10 week bar study period.

Course overview

Department
Law
School
LAW
Credits
2
Level
Graduate
Offered
Annually

Course evaluations

Response-weighted averages from Boston College’s official course evaluations (Avalanche/Blue).

Course rating
4.02 / 5 · Very Good
456 responses
Instructor rating
4.33 / 5 · Very Good
456 responses
Terms evaluated
5
Most recent: Spring 2026

Scales: overall ratings run from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent); agreement questions from 1 (strongly disagree) to 5 (strongly agree); weekly effort from 1 (up to 1 hour) to 5 (10 or more hours).

Evaluations by term and instructor
TermInstructorCourse overallInstructor overallWell organizedClear learning objectivesIntellectually challengingHelpful assignmentsApplicable beyond courseAttendance necessaryWeekly effortResponses
Spring 2026Ryan Williams4.04.44.54.54.14.34.43.41–3 hrs/week94 of 103
Fall 2024Ryan Williams4.24.54.64.64.24.64.64.11–3 hrs/week86 of 93
Fall 2023Ryan Williams4.14.44.64.64.24.54.54.01–3 hrs/week107 of 124
Spring 2023Jeffrey Cohen3.84.24.44.53.94.44.33.51–3 hrs/week110 of 131
Fall 2022Jeffrey Cohen4.04.14.44.54.04.44.53.81–3 hrs/week59 of 68

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-10-09. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Jeffrey Cohen
    Spring 2023, Fall 2022 · Official rating 4.14/5
  • Ryan Williams
    Spring 2026, Fall 2024, Fall 2023 · Official rating 4.45/5