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Course Descriptions
| 45.307 |
Gender
and the Law |
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An exploration
of ideas about gender differentiation in law, the legal system,
legal education and the legal profession. It will offer an introduction
to the feminist critique of law and feminist theories about
sexual equality and discrimination.
Instructors:
Busby
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Extended
Course Description
| COURSE
CONTENT: |
This course will explore how law is an agent of social ordering and how it can be used to effect social change for women. After some introductory seminars on feminist and legal method and the history of women's status in law we will focus on current legal issues were there are significant differences among feminist on how to tackle the issue. We will focus on issues connected to women's bodies or women's families although students will be able to choose the topics for 1 or 2 seminars and students have often chosen topics connected to women and money. Some of the issues discussed in recent seminars include:
• should the state have the power to apprehend pregnant women on the ground that their conduct it hurting the fetus?
• should there be any restrictions on a pregnant woman's ability to seek prenatal testing for sex determination? the presence of a disability?
• should common law relationships be treated the same way in law as marital relationships?
• do the proposed amendments to the Divorce Act on custody and access create more problems than they solve or are they an acceptable compromise?
• is the recognition of the "battered women's syndrome" as a defence in murder cases a good thing? has it made much difference?
• should feminists rely on the criminal justice system as a response to high levels of wife assault?
• should feminist support a criminal obscenity law?
• trans-women and women's only space: should they be welcome?
• should Muslim divorcing couples have the option of settling property, custody and support issues before a Shari'a law tribunal rather than civil courts?
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| TEACHING
METHOD: |
The class will be a discussion-style
seminar. I hope that we can create an atmosphere that values shared
leadership, multiple perspectives, continual questioning of power
relations, decision making by consensus and an understanding of
the relationship between self and others. |
COURSE
WORK AND
EVALUATION: |
As this is a perspectives course,
all students will be required to write a paper on a topic of their
choice which demonstrates independent research, critical thinking,
effective communication and originality. You will also be expected
to prepare for each class. The paper will be worth 80% of the
final grade and class participation will be worth 20% of the final
grade. |
| BOOKS: |
A collection of readings will be
prepared for the course. |
| ENROLMENT: |
LIMITED TO 16. |
| NOTE: |
**PLEASE COME SEE ME IF YOU WANT
TO TALK ABOUT THE COURSE** |
 Course Description Home
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