Gender and the Legal System (11259.1)

Availability

• UC - Canberra, Bruce

  Year	Teaching Period	Convener		Mode of Delivery
  2021	Semester 1	DR   Skye   SAUNDERS	(Ph: )	FLEXIBLE

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Unit Outlines

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• Semester 1, 2021, FLEXIBLE, BRUCE (202511) - View
• Semester 1, 2020, FLEXIBLE, BRUCE (191922) - View
• Semester 1, 2019, ON-CAMPUS, BRUCE (192182) - View

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Syllabus

This unit explores interactions between gender constructs and the law. Through reflective approaches to learning, you will investigate the impact of underlying assumptions about gender traits including sexuality, roles and responsibilities on the individual experience of the justice system. From a feminist, historical and cultural holistic framework in both historical and contemporary contexts, you will analyse and understand the implicit and explicit influence of social, political and cultural biases on law and on legal institutions and processes (with a particular focus on violence against women).

This unit may be taught with a G version of the unit.

Learning Outcomes

After successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. Identify, explain and analyse cultural assumptions regarding gender and their historical and contemporary impact on law, legal process and the experience of justice;

2. Determine and evaluate how gendered constructs within and outside the legal system affect women and men in their interactions with the law;

3. Determine and evaluate how violence against women affects women's interactions with the law;

4. Research, critically analyse and evaluate law, legal process and law reform proposals through a holistic framework; and

5. Reflect on their learning and on their changing perceptions of law and justice and its social and cultural contexts.

Assessment Items

Contact Hours

2 hours per week online as a mix of online videos, readings, forums and other interactive activities.

Prerequisites

Must have passed at least 24 credit points including either 11251 Foundations of Law and Justice OR 11257 Law and Society.

Corequisites

None.

Assumed Knowledge

None.

Equivalent Units

8523 Women and the Law 7032 Gender and the Australian Legal System