Gender and the Legal System (11259.1)

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.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways

Prerequisites

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

Corequisites

None.

Equivalent units

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

Assumed knowledge

None.