76081 Gender and Law

6cp
Requisite(s): ((70120 Legal Method and Research OR 70102 Foundations of Law)) OR (70110 Introduction to Law AND (76006c Public International Law OR 70108c Public International Law OR 76110c Introduction to Public International Law)) OR (70106c Principles of Public International Law AND 70107c Principles of Company Law AND (94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04236 Juris Doctor OR 142 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04250 Juris Doctor Master of Business Administration OR 94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04363 Juris Doctor Master of Intellectual Property OR 94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04364 Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate Trade Mark Law and Practice)) OR (94 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C04320 Juris Doctor Graduate Certificate Professional Legal Practice AND 70106 Principles of Public International Law)
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This subject explores how understandings of gender are embedded in the law and legal system, often in imperceptible ways. It considers a range of key feminist legal theories to examine how law constructs and regulates individuals by reference to gender. The subject starts with key concepts including the public/private divide, the sexual division of labour and equality/inequality. It then focuses on the way law shapes areas of human experience including work and the economy, family and relationships, sexuality and reproduction, and violence and bodies.

The subject provides students with skills to understand and critically apply feminist legal theories to contemporary gender issues. Knowledge of theory is valuable in helping to think about the law in new and different ways. A critical lens allows law to be reimagined and developed in new directions to address gender inequalities in society.

Students apply skills of analysis, research, communication and critical thinking – learning to not only evaluate and synthesise information, but also to critique legal and academic arguments. Students engage in a rigorous process of reading and discussion that deepens their capacity to communicate complex concepts and their critical responses to these.

Detailed subject description.