Curriculum Guide · Courses

Professor Rimalt

J.D. Seminar 189 (cross-listed) | 2 credit hours

The seminar investigates the current state of gender inequality in the United States and in other Western countries and aims to provide possible explanations for the gap between the law's promise and its performance in this domain. The ultimate goal is to highlight the complex relations among feminist legal theory, feminist legal practice and legal tools in the field of sex equality.

Centering on comparative case law, legislation, and policy initiatives, the seminar critically studies existing legal sex equality guarantees and explores their limits and potential in promoting full equality between and among women and men. In addition, a variety of materials will be read in an attempt to analyze the role of feminist theory and concrete feminist legal battles in promoting legal reforms in areas such as equal pay, affirmative action, parental leave, parental rights, sexual harassment, the military, abortions, rape and prostitution. We will evaluate the effectiveness of these reforms and identify the main challenges of gender equality that remain unfulfilled.

The seminar requires a final paper (20-25 pages long), three short reflection papers on various reading materials (1-2 pages) and active class participation.

This class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:10 a.m. - 2:10 p.m. on the following days: Wed., 9/7, Mon., 9/12, Wed., 9/14, Mon., 9/19, Wed., 9/21, Mon., 9/26, Wed., 9/28, and Mon., 10/3. This seminar will also meet on Friday, September 9 from 11:10 a.m. - 2:10 p.m.