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Unit of Study LAWS2031 - Sexual Orientation and the Law (2021)

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Unit Snapshot

  • Pre-requisites

    96 credit points in any SCU law units

  • Enrolment information

    N/A

Unit description

Introduce students to the complexity and contradictions inherent in the legal construction of sexuality. Explores a series of themes surrounding sexuality and in doing so de-centres legal doctrines to highlight law's involvement in the construction of identity. Students will consider the interaction of sexuality with other identities and issues, the relationship between “queer” theory, lesbian and gay theory and feminist theory and the relationship between activism and legal processes.

Unit content

Topic 1: Law and Sexuality

1.1 Sexuality as Identity
1.2 Lesbian, Gay or Queer Legal Theory
1.3 Sexuality and Identity Intersections

Topic 2: Trans-ness
2.1 Gender and Selfhood
2.2 Gender and Childhood

Topic 3: Predators and Perverts
3.1 Homo-danger
3.2 The 'solution' of Privacy (and its limits)
3.3 Equality, Privacy and Religious Freedom

Topic 4: Hatred & Victimization
4.1 Homophobia & Violence
4.2 Violence, Safety and Public Space

Topic 5: Couples and Families
5.1 The Context of Relationship Recognition Struggles
5.2 Marriage and its malcontents
5.3 Spousehood's Day(s) in Court
5.4 Desperately Seeking Semen
5.5 New Family Forms

Topic 6: Activism, Change and the State
6.1 Activism
6.2 The international Arena

Availabilities

Not currently available in 2021

Learning outcomes

Unit Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a unit. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes. The unit learning outcomes and graduate attributes are also the basis of evaluating prior learning.

On completion of this unit, students should be able to:

Demonstrate knowledge in the construction and role of sexuality across legal and social materials.

Synthesise and apply theoretical material from a variety of disciplines.

Apply a range of theoretical perspectives to 'black letter' case analysis.

Deconstruct traditional legal narratives around sexuality, family and identity.

Outline areas of law in Australia and internationally that impact on sexuality.