LW3GAL-Gender and Law

Module Provider: School of Law
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring term module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2021/2

Module Convenor: Prof Rosemary Auchmuty
Email: R.Auchmuty@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:
Critical analysis of the significance of gender in a range of legal areas.

Aims:

This module aims to introduce students to a range of contemporary issues and theoretical approaches to the study of gender and law and to equip them with the critical tools to apply a gender critique to established legal concepts, categories and reasoning in a variety of contexts. It will develop skills of research, critical thinking and the ability to express legal arguments orally and through different forms of journalism.

Assessable learning outcomes:

On successful completion of this module a student will have demonstrated the ability to:

• Critically evaluate the relevance of gender issues in law and legal policy and the relevance of legal interventions in a range of contemporary issues;


• Undertake in-depth research using appropriate sources;


• Articulate coherent arguments in support of theoretical positions on gender and law issues;


• Illustrate the application of gender and law considerations in regard to specific areas of law, and develop arguments in favour of reform;


• Explain legal ideas and argue for critical positions orally and through different forms of journalism.

Additional outcomes:

Students will have demonstrated their ability to

• Lead a seminar discussion


• Participate in class discussions


• Take an informed position on relevant social and political issues


• Undertake directed reading in preparation for seminars


• Produce critically informed assessments

Outline content:

There are two strands of content within each topic: first, a contemporary debate about an issue relating to gender and law and, second, an introduction to theoretical approaches to that issue. The contemporary issues will be drawn from a range of legal areas which may include family law, discrimination law, international law, constitutional law, criminal law, religion and law, employment law, social security law, company law, property law, obligations, philosophy of law and human rights. Topi cs will be chosen according to topicality, interest and staff availability and expertise. Each staff member when choosing a topic will also choose which feminist theories they will introduce in their seminars.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

There will be 10 lecturer-led 2-hour seminars in the autumn term. Students will be expected to undertake relevant preparatory reading prior to attending seminars and to participate in discussions. In the spring term there will be 5 weeks of independent guided learning followed by 5 weeks of student-led tutorials.

Ìý

The autumn term’s seminars will be led by different tutors in order to give students the benefit of the range of staff expertise. Ìý Students will be expected to have done the directed pre-reading and to contribute to the discussion. The student-led tutorials in the spring term provide a forum for students, drawing on the knowledge and analytical skills gleaned from the earlier work, to present their assessed work and discuss the presentations of other students.