Law
Law, Gender and Sexuality (Aut)
Module code: M3017
Level 6
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar
Assessment modes: Essay
On this module, you’ll study how the law affects and regulates gender and sexuality. You’ll explore:
- the idea of gender
- the idea of sexuality
- how these ideas are shaped in today’s society, based on their histories.
You’ll consider big themes, such as:
- equality, including differences in sex and sexual orientation
- privacy and the line between public and private life
- how fundamental rights relate to gender and sexuality.
You’ll also reflect on areas of law where gender and sexuality distinctions have significant consequences, including:
- family law, such as marriage and laws about conceiving and raising children
- employment law, including equal pay, parental leave and discrimination
- laws around public or commercial services, such as medical treatment and hotel accommodation.
You’ll study how gender, sexuality and the law shape each other. While the focus is on traditional legal sources like court cases, laws and legal writings, you’ll also consider gender and sexuality politics, and feminist and queer theory.
Module learning outcomes
- Demonstrate a critical and reflective understanding of the theory relating to the social construction of gender and sexuality.
- Explain and critically assess the way in which (particular) rules of law are engaged in the regulation of gender and sexuality.
- Critically analyse and consider number of instances of substantive law in which issues of gender and sexuality are significant.
- Carry out independent study and research using a range of legal and social science materials.