Learning Collective Eminence

Harvard Law School and the Social Production of Elite Lawyers

Dados Bibliográficos

ID2276609
AutoresRobert Granfield (University of Denver), Thomas Koenig (0000-0002-1472-4638, Northeastern University)
Ano1992
Volume33
Fascículo4
Páginas503-520
Data de publicação1992-12-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoSociological Quarterly (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 0038-0253 • E-ISSN: 1533-8525
EditoraInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1533-8525.1992.tb00140.x
OpenAlexW1977919935
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas25

The informal curriculum at Harvard Law School reorients ambitious individualistic incoming students toward collective definitions of achievement. They learn to cooperate with rather than compete against classmates. This creates a sense of mutual eliteness, or “collective eminence.” Students learn that professional success is available for all who attend, and that therefore, only neurotic “gunners” try to outdo peers. This world view is communicated through such processes as orientation-week meetings, classroom dynamics, recruitment criteria, corporate job interviews, and law review selection. This ideology directs students toward service in the most prestigious law firms, both because they learn that such positions are their destiny and because the recruitment network that results from collective eminence makes these jobs extremely easy to obtain. This sharply contrasts with student experiences in less eminent law schools

Curriculum · Destiny (ISS module) · Elite · Ideology · Individualism · Pedagogy · Political science · Sociology · Judicial and Constitutional Studies · Law · Law in Society and Culture · Legal Education and Practice Innovations