| Unit name | Sex, Gender and Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD30110 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Bibbings |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
This unit seeks to develop a critical understanding of gender studies and law. It explores the extent to which law is based on and reinforces sexist and hetero-sexist assumptions and hence discriminates (largely) against women, gay men and lesbians, but also against men who fail to meet hegemonic standards of masculinity. It draws upon feminist and masculinity theories as well as theories of sexuality, intersectionality and the sexed body from a number of different disciplines. The unit begins by examining theoretical issues in gender and the law, identifying a number of unit themes. The seminars then apply and expand these theories in relation to a few specific legal topics. Topics can include: work; legal reasoning; women, law and history; transitional justice; human rights; the family and the marriage model.
By the end of the unit, a successful student will have a good grasp of the unit themes in relation to sex, gender, sexualities, intersectionality and will be able to research aspects of sex, gender and law on their own, drawing also upon related materials from other disciplines. When presented with a proposition on an aspect of sex, gender and law: present arguments for and against the proposition, citing relevant authorities, the views of writers and, where appropriate, the findings of studies from a range of relevant disciplines, and assess the weight of the different arguments and findings; locate and confidently discuss any relevant reform proposals; draw a reasoned conclusion as to whether they agree or disagree with the proposition. The assessments are designed to test whether students have developed the skills that are critical to this unit, namely independent research and critical evaluation, as well as trheir knowledge and understanding of the unit materials.
10 2 hour seminars plus enhancement sessions.
Formative: 2000 word essay Summative: 2 x 2,000 word essays - 50%
J Conaghan, Law and Gender, Oxford: OUP, 2013; R. Hunter, C. McGlynn, E. Rackley (eds) Feminist Judgements: From Theory to Practice (Hart: London, 2010); L. Bibbings Images of Manliness: The Portrayal of Soldiers and Conscientious Objectors in the Great War(2003) 12(3) Social and Legal Studies 335-358; L.S Bibbings, Binding Men: Stories About Violence and Law in Late Victorian England: Nineteenth Century Criminal Cases and the Policing of Masculinity, London: Glasshouse Routledge, 2014; C. Bendall ‘A /break Away from the (Hetereo)norm?: Lawrence v Gallagher [2012] 1 FCR 557 [2012] EWCA Civ 394; J Conaghan and E Grabham, ‘Sexuality and the Citizen-Carer’
