| Unit name | Sex, Gender and Law |
|---|---|
| Unit code | LAWD30110 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Katie Cruz |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | University of Bristol Law School |
| Faculty | Faculty of Social Sciences and Law |
Why is this unit important?
This optional, final year unit will consider a variety of gender, sexuality, feminist and queer theories, thinking also about how they relate to some contemporary legal and social issues. In doing so, it builds upon briefer encounters with such work elsewhere in your degree (in jurisprudence and other optional units, for example). It is not a doctrinal legal module and is suited to students interested in, for example, critical jurisprudence, feminist, gender, queer and socio-legal theory. There is also a focus on legal and social issues - considered by way of example and illustration.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This optional, final year unit seeks to build and develop theoretical knowledge and approaches to law and law-related phenomena, as well as knowledge of contemporary legal and social issues in the context of theory. Research, reading, evaluation and analytical skills will be a focus – working on these transferable skills across the different learning cycles.
An overview of content
The unit will look at a range of relevant theories and consider how they relate to some contemporary legal and social issues. Theories considered may change from year to year but might include, for example, liberal feminism, cultural feminism, radical feminism, intersectionality, black feminism, Marxist feminism, post structuralism, masculinities theory, queer theory. Contemporary issues, considered by way of example and illustration, also vary but might include such examples as the family, sexual violence, human rights, trans politics, employment and the gendered division of labour, legal reasoning, pornography, sex work.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
An awareness of these theories and issues will offer or develop new insights into legal and social issues along with theoretical knowledge.
Learning outcomes
By the end of this unit a successful student will be able to:
Teaching will be delivered through a variety of sessions. These might, for example, include: more traditionally configured lectures which seek to impart knowledge and develop understanding as well as encouraging individual critical thinking; group exercises which encourage critical assessment and evaluation. Students will be directed to read and sometimes watch and listen to relevant materials and class preparation may also require exercises, including research exercises, for instance. In interactive classes students will discuss and probe each other’s understanding and critical evaluation of materials taught, read and/or watched. Classes will include reflections on the social and legal issues studied and their links to theory, looking for example at the effects of law and the possibility of reform.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Through teaching sessions and materials you will be introduced to theories and issues. You will be provided with a range of opportunities to develop your knowledge, understanding, critical thinking and analysis skills, as well as support in terms of undertaking appropriate research and approaching essay questions.
Teaching sessions will provide different opportunities for continuing feedback as you progress through the unit. In addition, you will have a formative exercise in which you are required to write an introduction and prepare an essay plan on a set essay title for which there will be formal written feedback will be given, alongside additional more generic feedback in teaching sessions. Collectively these activities are designed to prepare you for the summative exercise.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
The unit has a single summative assessment which is a 3000 word coursework research essay. This covers all Intended Learning Outcomes for this unit.
When assessment does not go to plan
When a student fails the unit and is eligible to resubmit the assessment, the unit will be reassessed on a like-for-like basis. The Board of Examiners will consider in the usual way all cases where a student has failed the summative assessment or has otherwise not completed it.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. LAWD30110).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
