Abstract

Critical thinking and analytical skills are gaining increased recognition as essential contributors to the
educational and professional success of today’s business students. Paradoxically, researchers have paid selective
attention to the development of critical thinking skills within courses on business law, a subject popularly
associated with critical thinking. Although limited scholarship has focused on the use of case briefs and mock
trial exercises to enhance student critical thinking skills in business law courses, these pedagogical exercises are
insufficient for the needs of today’s modern business students. Specifically, case briefs and mock trial exercises
may fail to address legal issues germane to the business profession. In instances where such exercises do focus
directly on business issues, these methods still fall short by placing undue emphasis on the procedural aspects of
litigation, leaving students without a proper examination of the issue’s larger role within business practice. To
ensure today’s business graduates are able to effectively tackle diverse and complex legal issues, business law
courses must persistently employ new pedagogical approaches to develop comprehensive critical thinking skills.
This article will describe one such approach, the Business Law 360° Memorandum, which builds upon and
reinforces the need for business students to practically apply analytical and critical thinking skills to
legal-business issues that currently beset the business community.

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