Scholarship luncheons, open to all USF law faculty and library staff, are not your typical brown-bag affairs. Two or three times a month, professors serve up their take on topics as diverse as the intricacies of private civil remedies and antitrust reform (Professor Josh Davis) or the application of the International Convention on the Elimination of Race Discrimination (Professor Connie de la Vega).

The luncheons advance our individual scholarship and nurture us collectively as a community of scholars," said Professor Tim Iglesias, co-coordinator of the 2007-08 series along with Associate Professor Maya Manian. "They are a forum to share our ideas, to get constructive feedback, and to refine our thinking."

The format is flexible: Some professors circulate drafts of the work to be discussed. After they present their main arguments, the floor opens for questions. These free-flowing discussions may include suggestions on the structure of an article, recommendations of other resources or authors to research, or comments on where an argument is-or is not-persuasive.

"Because most of us pursue different fields of study, comments about what knowledge should or shouldn't be taken for granted and the connections to other fields are always interesting, and often fruitful," Iglesias said.

New Developments in Teaching Discussed

Presenters also address innovations in teaching and ways to improve classroom skills. Last spring, Professor Maria Ontiveros demonstrated the classroom performance system (CPS), in which students use "clickers" to respond to the professor's questions during class. That luncheon was held in a classroom, so faculty could try the technology out for themselves.

"CPS is a great way to gauge students' understanding of the material, right there in the classroom as you are presenting it," Ontiveros said. 'It allows me to adjust my approach and keeps students actively involved throughout the class."

Ontiveros credits the luncheons with helping keep her teaching fresh. "After teaching Torts for seven years, you need new ideas to take it up a notch," she said.

Originated in 2000 by Davis and Professor Michelle Travis, the luncheons also showcase faculty from other USF schools and visiting professors such as Luo Peixin from East China University of Politics and Law. Professors from law schools such as Fordham Law School and Seton Hall School of Law also have shared their scholarship. 

Professor Susan Freiwald led off the Fall 2007 series on September 12 with a presentation on "Stored Electronic Communications and the Fourth Amendment."