Module Information

Module Identifier
LAM2420
Module Title
Law and Gender
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Reading List
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF 6,000 WORDS  80%
Semester Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION  20%
Supplementary Assessment WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT OF 6,000 WORDS TO BE SUBMITTED, IF FAILED  80%
Supplementary Assessment ORAL PRESENTATION TO BE DELIVERED, IF FAILED  20%

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this module, students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate an understanding of the complexity of the origin and historical development of gender law.
2. Show a critical appreciation of the philosophical and political context of the contemporary debates on gender law and its implications for the development of legislative and policy responses in this area.
3. Critically evaluate the role of political, cultural and social influences on law and policy development on gender law, including such issues as multiculturalism, women in war and violence against women.
4. Display a detailed understanding of the policies, legal instruments and mechanisms currently addressing the problems of gender inequality at the international, EU and national levels and present well informed critical analyses of these issues.
5. Access the relevant literature and materials in this field and use them to engage in a critical discussion of the subject.

Brief description

The module will begin with an introduction into the origin and historical development of gender law. This will be followed by a study of various strands of philosophical and political theories underpinning the contemporary debates on gender law. Against this background the legislative instruments, and other mechanisms that have been developed to tackle the challenge of gender discrimination at the international, EU, and national levels will be investigated. The discourse will take the form of a critical analysis of the current position of women within the context of an ever more complex international dialogue on the nature and relevance of human rights.

Content

1. An introduction into the origin and historical development of gender law.
2. The philosophical and political underpinnings of gender law.
3. Human rights dimensions of gender law
4. International law instruments and policy to tackle gender discrimination.
5. The EU law and policy on gender discrimination.
6. National (UK) responses to gender discrimination.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7