Gender and the Law Seminar

This seminar explores the connections between gender, law, and society by drawing on feminist, queer, intersectional, and other critical legal theories. Students will participate in weekly reading seminars and engage in structured discussions. Throughout the course, students will analyze how gender intersects with other key aspects of identity like race, sexuality, class, ability, and national or cultural context. By studying how legal reform strategies impact contexts like reproduction, work, care, family structures, violence, and identity performance, students will recognize the complex and sometimes contradictory effects of legal interventions. Grades will be based 50% on class participation, including in-class discussions, one week spent as a discussion leader, and reflections on leading the discussion; and 50% on a 5000 word final paper.