LL5051 - Women and Law (2025/26)
| Module specification | Module approved to run in 2025/26 | ||||||||||||
| Module title | Women and Law | ||||||||||||
| Module level | Intermediate (05) | ||||||||||||
| Credit rating for module | 15 | ||||||||||||
| School | Guildhall School of Business and Law | ||||||||||||
| Total study hours | 150 | ||||||||||||
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| Assessment components |
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| Running in 2025/26(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change) | No instances running in the year |
Module summary
This module provides an overview of the practical position of women under English law, with an examination of the theoretical issues underpinning that position. As an extension of learning module, it is suitable for students from any discipline with an interest in gender and the law.
Prior learning requirements
None
Module aims
This module aims to:
1. provide a broad overview of women’s position within English law, including an analysis of the history and development of women’s rights.
2. stimulate analysis and understanding of basic feminist criticisms of English law.
3. raise awareness of women’s legal position and its relation to that of men.
4. provide a supportive environment for the development of competence in discussion and oral presentation.
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Women’s legal history
- Feminist legal theory
- Examination of the law and key feminist legal critiques for a selection of the following topics: abortion, infanticide, forced caesareans, pornography and obscenity, prostitution, body image and cultural representations, the rape trial.
- Presentation skills
- Review of key themes
Learning and teaching
Teaching will be carried out in lectures and seminars. Lectures will provide a structured overview of the course material and highlight key areas for further research and debate. Seminars will involve a range of activities including discussion and debates, group work, blended learning activities and presentation skills exercises. Key employability skills including oral presentation and communication skills, critical thinking and research skills will be developed.
The virtual learning environment for this module includes a range of supporting materials, further reading, interactive exercises, discussion space, and assessment information. Students’ engagement with these materials will enable them to explore topics in more depth, gain contextual understanding, develop relevant skills and enhance their IT literacy.
Students will be required to complete advance reading, questions and exercises; to prepare for and participate in both formative and summative assessment; and to engage with online learning materials. Their active participation in a range of in-class and online activities including will allow students to develop their understanding of the subject as well as to gauge their progress, understanding and articulation of the issues and to obtain peer and lecturer feedback.
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this module students will:
1. Understand of the basic concepts of Women and law.
2. Understand and be able to contextualise the evolution of women’s legal rights within our system of law.
3. Be aware of feminist jurisprudence on the English legal system.
4. Have acquired increased awareness of, and confidence in, using oral communication skills.
Bibliography
Bourne & Derry. Women and Law, Old Bailey Press.
Barnett, H. Sourcebook on Feminist Jurisprudence. Cavendish Publishing Ltd.
Barnett, H. Introduction to Feminist Jurisprudence. Cavendish Publishing.
Bridgeman, J & MILLNS, S, Feminist perspectives on Law. Law’s Engagement with the Female Body Sweet & Maxwell.
Smart, C, Feminism & the Power of Law. Routledge.
Wing, A. K (ed) Critical race Feminism: A Reader. New York University Press.
Feminist Legal Studies (journal)
Legal databases eg Westlaw, Lexis