The primary aim of this module is to create a gender awareness in students’ understanding of and approach to law. Through new critical thinking and analysis skills, students will be able to identify how individuals from disadvantaged groups in terms of their gender and sexuality as well as other characteristics, such as race, class, migration and minority status, can face inequalities and be in a disadvantaged position before the law even when the law is designed in a seemingly impartial way. We expect students to engage in research before seminars and critically argue their position during seminars. Students will also be expected to do a group presentation and write a coursework on a subject chosen in the light of the guidance provided by lecturers. As a result, the module will also contribute to students’ research, critical writing and argumentation, communication, group work and presentation skills.

(LO1) To be able to engage in critical legal analysis using gender and equality related tools and concepts

(LO2) To be able to see how different inequalities intersect in an individuals relationship with law and society (intersectionality analysis)

(LO3) To be able to combine gender related tools and concepts from law, politics and economics (interdisciplinary thinking and analysis)

(LO4) To be able to understand and research into complex societal structures that underpin inequality

(S1) Critical analysis skills

(S2) Critical argumentation and communication skills

(S3) Research skills

(S4) Team work skills

(S5) Presentation skills

A more detailed syllabus will be made available nearer to the start of the module and this will be shared with students using the readinglists@livlibrary as well as the module handbook. The introductory lectures to this module will cover the following subjects:
- history of feminism (and law)
- introduction to feminist legal and political theory
- introduction to queer legal and political theory
- what about other inequalities?: race, class and intersectionality
- what about the constitution? Do legal rights and guarantees for equality work?
- ‘personal is the political!’: separation of private & public spheres and the implications of this on gender equality
- gender, sexuality and violence
- gender roles in family and the role of law
- regulating women’s bodies: reproduction and the law
- Is the state gender blind? Tax, spending and gender equality
- O sister, where a re art thou? The role of gender in politics

6 x 2hr synchronous sessions (seminar sessions)

24 hrs asynchronous sessions (in line with the School policy) (pre-recorded lectures and other teaching content)