Course Objectives and Procedures:
 

We will spend the semester analyzing the gendered structure of the law and the practical impact of that structure on the lives of men and women. We will discuss, analyze and debate broad theoretical and institutional problems such as the proper role of judicial discretion,the values that judges bring to decision making, the political implications of rulings and the ways in which case law disrupts or reinforces the existing power structure.
 

The following required text is available in the bookstore.

 Bartlett, Katharine, Angela Harris and Deborah Rhode, 2002. Gender and the Law: Theory, Doctrine, Commentary. New York: Aspen Law and Business.

Additional readings will be distributed by the instructor or made available on the web page.

 Students will bear substantial responsibility for managing the course.
 
 

Course Requirements for Graduate Students:
 

1) One in-class examination 40 points (30 each). The exam will be open-book, open-note. Don't get excited -- it won't help much.

 2) One take-home final examination,60 points.

 3) Roundtable Participation 30 points

 4)Research Proposal 10 points

 5) One research paper, of approximately 20-25 pages in length. 80 points.

 6) Formal Presentation of Research Paper: Each student will present his/her work to the class. Each presentation should take no more than 20 minutes, with additional time to be allotted for questions and comments. 20 points.

 7) Participation in roundtables: On the dates indicated on the syllabus, we will spend the second half of class engaging in a roundtable discussion of a particular topic question (see schedule below). Each student will prepare a brief (1-2 page) summary of her/his initial response to the question, which s/he will present at the beginning of the discussion. Position papers will be handed in to the instructor at the end of class. For the next class session, students will prepare a "reaction" paper, which considers the original position adopted by the student in light of the roundtable discussion. Position papers will receive credit/no credit grades, response papers will receive letter grades based upon the quality of analysis and writing. It is NOT necessary to change your original position if the roundtable discussion did not change your viewpoint ? simply refute opposing claims raised in the discussion and explain why you found other arguments unpersuasive.
Position Papers: 5 points each
Response Papers: 10 points each

Lucid, well-organized writing is essential to effective communication and will be considered in evaluating written work.
 

Grading Scale:

 90% or more of possible points: A
80% -89% of possible points: B
70-79% of possible points: C
60-69% of possible points: D
Below 60% of possible points: F

Policies, Procedures, Admonitions and Advice:

1. Attendance Policy: This course is designed to accommodate discussion and as such, your presence and intelligent participation is essential to its success. Please let me know of any unavoidable work-related conflicts at the earliest possible date so that roundtable and presentation dates can be accommodated.

 2. Preparation: Students who have not read the assigned texts are not welcome in class.

 3. Make-up Examinations: Students who have an excused absence on the day of an in-class examination will be permitted to take a make-up exam, to be scheduled by agreement of the student and instructor. The make-up exam will differ from the exam given to the class at the scheduled examination time. Take-home make-up examinations will be held to a higher standard of quality.

 4. Late Papers: A five-point per day penalty will be imposed on late papers. The take-home final may not be submitted after the deadline, except in emergencies (as defined by the instructor). If it is necessary for a student to submit a final exam after the deadline, the student may receive an Incomplete so that the submission of other students' grades will not be delayed.

5. Plagiarism: Academic dishonesty will result in automatic failure of the course. Should you have doubts as to what constitutes plagiarism, please consult the instructor.

 6. Use of Books and Notes during Examinations: All examinations are open-book, open-note. "Cliff Notes" or anything in the same genre shall darken neither your door nor that of the classroom. Ever.

 7. Web Based Sessions: At least four of our class sessions will be conducted through online discussion. The sessions will involved threaded discussions on a list rather than real-time interaction. Students should take the web sessions as seriously as class meetings, as the instructor will do so. Web session dates and instructions appear on the syllabus below. I will test you on the materials assigned for the web-based sessions. Skip those reading assignments at your peril!
 
 

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
 

August 19: Introduction, explanation of course requirements, discussion of historical legal status of women.

 August 26: Reading Assignment: Formal Equality, pp. 117-149 of Bartlett et al.
Class Exercise: 2-3 on p.149. Come prepared to discuss the problem during the last hour of class.

 Sept 2: Holiday.

 Sept. 9: Web based session
Reading Assignment: Formal Equality, pp. 149-264 of Bartlett.
Online Roundtable: Apply the principles covered in the reading to write a position paper in response the the question raised by exercise 2-18 on p. 262. Post position papers no later than 6pm on September 9. Post response papers after reading your classmates' position papers. The deadline for posting response papers is 4:30pm on Friday, Sept. 13.

 Sept. 16: Reading Assignment: Substantive Equality, pp. 266-320.
Roundtable: What is the best strategy for eliminating women's disadvantages in the workplace? Position papers due in class. Response papers should be posted to the list no later than 4:30 pm on Friday, Sept. 20.

 Sept. 23: Web based session
Reading Assignment: Substantive Equality, pp. 320-432
Online Roundtable: Has Title IX been effective? Post position papers by 6pm on Sept. 23, response papers by 4:30 pm on Friday, Sept. 27.

 Sept. 30: Reading Assignment: Substantive Equality in the Family, pp. 432-533.
Roundtable: Answer the question raised in Exercise 3-17, p. 532 in a position paper to be turned in during class. Response papers should be posted by 4:30 on Friday, Oct. 4.

 Oct. 7: In class examination.

 Oct. 14: Holiday

 Oct. 21: Reading Assignment: Sexual Harrassment, pp. 533-613.
Discussion: Exercise 4-8 on p. 612 (no papers required).

 Oct. 28: Reading Assignment, Domestic Violence, pp. 613-699.
Roundtable: Apply the principles covered in the writing to write a position paper in response to the question raised in Exercise 4-8, p. 698. Position papers are due in class, response papers must be posted no later than 4:30pm on Friday, Nov. 1.

 Nov. 4: Web based session
Reading Assignment: Pornography and Heterosexism: pp. 699-805.
Roundtable: Should the armed forces allow women to enter combat arms occupations? Position papers should be posted by 6pm on Nov. 4. Response papers should be posted by 4:30pm on Friday, Nov. 8.

 Nov. 11: Reading Assignment: Rape, pp. 935-1005.
Discussion: Exercise 6-2, pp. 1005.

 Nov. 18: Web based session
Reading Assignment: Pregnancy and Abortion, pp. 1031-1160.
Roundtable: Respond to the question raised by exercise 6-8 on p. 1159 in a position paper due by 6pm on Nov. 18. Post response papers no later than 4:30pm on Friday, November 22.

 Nov. 25: Formal presentations of research projects.

 Dec. 2: Presentations, continued. Research papers due. Distribution of take-home final exam.