Study aids (also referred to as supplements) are commercially produced resources that are designed to assist you in your law school learning. You can use study aids as explanatory material to get background and context on a legal topic, or to clarify confusion. You can also use study aids is to assess your knowledge and understanding of a topic, and test your ability to apply your knowledge. There are a variety of categories of study aids and each category is designed to help you in different ways.
This page contains information on the study aids that the Law Library has purchased for your use. Use the subtabs to locate information on accessing the library's study aids, information on the different categories of study aids, and when to use them throughout the semester.
Questions?
Contact csl-ref@cua.edu.
The law library subscribes to three electronic study aid platforms, West Academic, Aspen Publishing (AP), and Lexis Digital (LD)
West AcademicWhat Can I Find on West Academic?
What Features are Available?
How Do I Access?
Aspen Publishing (AP) - formerly Wolters KluwerWhat Can I Find on AP?
What Features are Available?
How Do I Access?
Lexis Digital LibraryWhat Can I Find on Lexis Digital Library?
What Features Are Available?
How Do I Access?
Bookmark the link below. Login using your Use your CUA login.
Aspen Student Treatise SeriesPrint editions for some online series are available for in-library use at the Circulation Desk. First year subjects for the following series are available: Acing Series, Emanuel Law Outlines, Examples and Explanations, Hornbook Treatises, Questions & Answers, Short & Happy Guides, and Understanding Series.
Print editions for 2L and 3L subjects for some series are available in the library stacks for checkout. Search the online catalog or ask a librarian for assistance. Please note: some of the editions in the stacks are not current.
All Aspen study aids have text-to-speech capability. To use, click the text-to-speech icon (upper right menu bar) while reading any title online.
In Other Words Audio Series
In Other Words Video SeriesAudio
Listen to the following series online, or download the West Academic Audio app for offline listening.
Law School Legends Audio Series
Office Hours
Sum & Substance Audio Lectures
West Academic Audio BooksVideo
West has several video titles (see link below). You login to into your West Academic account to view videos.
Casenote Legal Briefs and Emanuel Law Outlines have titles which are keyed to casebooks. Filter by series to locate titles in each series.
Key to abbreviations used below:
| Study Aid Category | Series |
OverviewsThese titles provide a concise narrative explanation of the major doctrines in each substantive area of law, and offer a good introduction to key concepts and legal terminology. |
Inside series (AP) Jumpstart (AP) Nutshells (WA) Short & Happy Guides (WA) |
Case BriefsCase briefs summarize the law, facts, and analysis of the cases students are assigned in course casebooks. Many are keyed to specific casebooks. Commercial case briefs should not be used as a substitute for reading and briefing assigned cases. |
Casenote Legal Briefs (AP) High Court Case Summaries (WA)
|
OutlinesThese titles focus on black letter law and legal rules. They often include exam tips and sample questions. Some outlines are keyed to specific casebooks. Commercial outlines are not a substitute for creating your own outline. |
Black Letter Outlines (WA) Emanuel Law Outlines (AP) Gilbert Law Summaries (WA) Quick Reviews (WA) |
TreatisesThese series provide comprehensive explanation and analysis. They are more detailed than other types of study aids. These are good resources when you need better understanding of specific concepts. |
Aspen Student Treatise series (P) Concise Hornbooks (WA) Concepts & Insights (WA) Examples & Explanations (AP) Hornbooks (WA) Mastering series ( LD) Understanding series (LD) |
Problem-BasedThese series include problems/ questions and model answers relating to the area of law being discussed. These are good for exam preparation. Visit the Exam Prep page for more information on each series. |
Acing series (WA) Emanuel Crunchtime (AP) Exam Pro (WA) Examples & Explanations (AP) Friedman's Practice Series (AP) Glannon Guides (AP) Questions and Answers (LD) Step-by-Step (WA) |
Skills-BasedThis series explores topics important in law practice. Each chapter includes exercises designed to help students develop problem-solving skills for issues they might face in practice. |
Bridge to Practice (WA) Developing Professional Skills (WA) Skills & Values series (LD) |
Key to abbreviations used below:
| Timing | Series |
Early Semester
Use treatises to get a better understanding of key concepts. |
High Court Case Summaries (WA) Casenote Legal Briefs (AP) Aspen Student Treatise series (P) Concise Hornbooks (WA) Concepts & Insights (WA) Examples & Explanations (AP) Hornbooks (WA) Mastering series ( LD) Understanding series (LD) |
Mid Semester
|
Emanuel Law Outlines (AP) Black Letter Outlines (WA) Gilbert Law Summaries (WA) Quick Reviews (WA) Nutshells (WA) Short & Happy Guides (WA) Inside series (AP) Jumpstart (AP) |
Late Semester and Exam Time
|
Acing series (WA) Exam Pro (WA) Emanuel Crunchtime (AP) Examples & Explanations (AP) Friedman's Practice Series (AP) Glannon Guides (AP) Questions and Answers (LD) Step-by-Step (WA) Law School Legends (WA) Sum and Substance (WA) Office Hours (WA) In Other Words Audio (AP) In Other Words Video (AP) |
Summer - Prepare to Practice |
Bridge to Practice (WA) Developing Professional Skills (WA) Skills & Values series (LD) |
