WGSS 3561 - Women and the Law

Institution:

Washington University in St Louis

Subject:

Description:

We explore the development of women's legal rights by examining the ways in which social constructions of gender, race, class, and sexuality have shaped American legal concepts within the limited bounds of traditional legal reasoning. We begin by placing our current legal framework, and its gender, race, and other societal assumptions, in an historical and Constitutional context. We then examine many of the critical questions raised by feminist theory, feminist legal thought, and other critical perspectives. For example, is the legal subject gendered as male, and, if so, how effectively can women use the law to gain greater social equity? What paradoxes have emerged in areas, such as employment discrimination, family law, or reproductive rights, as women have sought liberal equality? What is the equality/difference debate about and why is it important for feminists? The course is thematic, but we spend time on key cases that have influenced law and policy, examining how they affect the everyday lives of women.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wustl.edu

Phone Number:

(314) 935-5000

Regional Accreditation:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools

Calendar System:

Semester

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