This course is designed to explore the interactions between law gender identity and sexualities. It will:

• provide a theoretical framework which highlights the complexity and contradictions inherent in the construction of sexualities, from an interdisciplinary perspective
• examine a range of legal controversies surrounding sexuality
• consider the interaction of gender, class, race and sexuality issues
• consider the relationship between "queer" theory, lesbian and gay theory and feminist theory
• consider the relationship between activism and the legal process.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Define, explain, distinguish and apply the different theoretical approaches to sexuality arising from various academic disciplines and methodologies (scientific, moral, sociological, feminist and queer);
2. Use this advanced knowledge to analyse critically a range of complex legal controversies and problems, both historical and contemporary, surrounding sexuality and gender identity;
3. Explain and demonstrate the ways in which gender, class, race and sexuality interact with each other and influence the outcome of legal questions;
4. Define, explain and apply queer theory and feminist theory to legal questions surrounding sexuality and gender identity;
5. Recognise and appraise the difficulties of activism in legal processes;
6. Reflect critically on published research in law, gender identity and sexuality both orally and in writing;
7. Engage in legal research utilising a variety of legal research sources and technical research skills, including legal databases, in order to research case law, legislation and scholarly journal articles;
8. Plan and execute interdisciplinary legal research with independence in order to produce original scholarship; and
9. Communicate knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences.

Research-Led Teaching

A/Prof Wayne Morgan has researched and published on topics of law, gender identity and sexualities throughout his career. Students will engage in research throughout the course.

Required Resources

An E Brick will be available and other resources posted on the course WATTLE site

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written and/or oral comments on final essay proposal. Written feedback on submitted class paper and final essay.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Extensions late submission and penalties - https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/extensions-late-submission-and-penalties

Deferred examination: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/deferred-examinations

Special consideration: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/assessments-exams/special-assessment-consideration

Penalties for excess word length: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/word-length-and-excess-word-penalties

Distribution of Grades Policy: Effective from Winter Session and Second Semester 2018 (and until further notice), the interim scaling guideline applies to all courses in the LLB (Hons) and JD programs. Please see: https://law.anu.edu.au/current-students/policies-procedures/grading

Further Information about the Course: is available from the course WATTLE page. Students are required to access the WATTLE site regularly throughout the course for details on weekly classes and any announcements relating to the course.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Week 1: Introduction: terms and concepts
2	Week 2: Introduction: terms and concepts
3	Week 3: Gender identity and presentation
4	Week 4: Regimes of regulating sexual activity (sodomy)
5	Week 5: Regimes of regulating sexual activity (SM/Pornography)
6	Week 6: Regimes of regulating sexual activity (sex work)
7	Week 7: Equality/Difference
8	Week 8: Equality/Difference
9	Week 9: Visibility and Violence
10	Week 10: Family/Not Family
11	Week 11: Family/Not Family
12	Week 12: Engaging with the State

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reflective Class Paper	25 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5,6
Final Research Essay	75 %	05/11/2020	03/12/2020	2,5,7,8,9

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Reflective Class Paper

Details of task: The reflective class paper will involve students volunteering for a piece of prescribed reading, summarising and critically reflecting on that reading in a short written essay. Students will sign up for their class paper on WATTLE. Students will be expected to attend class via zoom on the day that the piece of reading for which they have volunteered is discussed and to participate in that discussion. If students miss the class for which they have volunteered, they will be able to volunteer for a different piece in a later class. After the discussion in class, students will then write their reflective paper on their chosen reading, having benefited from the class discussion. Note that the mark for this piece of assessment is awarded on the basis of the written class paper, although a student's contribution to class discussion will also be taken into account.

Nature of task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. Failure to complete will result in a mark of 0 for this task.

Value or weighting: 25%

Release: Students will volunteer for a recommended piece of reading at least 1 week before that reading will be discussed in class. 

Due date: As allocated. One week after reading has been discussed in class via Turnitin.

Word limit: 1,000 words

Penalties for excess word length: Refer to the student policies and procedures page on the law school website

Referencing Requirements: Refer to the current edition of the AGLC.

Other requirements: 12 point font, 1.5 line spacing.

Estimated return date: Where possible, marked papers will be returned one week after submission. It may not always be possible to comply with this return date, if there are a large number of class papers submitted in a given week.

Feedback: Feedback will be given via Turnitin.

Assessment criteria: Equal weight will be given to 4 criteria:

1. Preparation and understanding of the material;
2. Thinking critically about the material;
3. Expressing ideas clearly (in written paper: grammar, syntax, spelling and expression);
4. Engaging with other students in the discussion.

Assessment Task 2

Final Research Essay

Details of task: A research essay (or equivalent piece of work) on a topic approved by the convenor. Examples of “equivalent pieces of work” might include:

• a submission to a law reform body concerning a particular area of law; or
• drafting an amicus curiae brief for a test case; or
• drafting a judgment.

 Students will be required to submit in writing via email a proposal setting out a specific question or questions to be addressed. The written proposal must be emailed to the convenor by Friday 21 August 2020. The convenor will give feedback and help students develop their essay topic after the initial submission of the proposal. This is also an opportunity for students to receive feedback on their work that does not contribute to the final mark in the course.

Nature of task: Compulsory and non-redeemable. A failure to submit the final research essay will result in a student receiving a mark of 0 for this assessment task.

Value or weighting: 75%

Due date: 5 pm Thursday 5 November, 2020 via Turnitin. Late submission (without an extension) will be accepted, although late penalties will apply.

Word limit: 3,000 words

Penalties for excess word length: Refer to the student policies and procedures page on the law school website.

Referencing Requirements: Refer to the current edition of the AGLC.

Other requirements: Essays should be 1.5 spaced and in 12 point font.

Estimated return date: When second semester results are released (early December) via Turnitin.

Assessment criteria: Equal weight will be given to three criteria:

1. Quality of research (extent of research, diversity of sources, inclusion of academic sources);
2. Quality of writing style (grammar, syntax, spelling, expression) and presentation including footnoting;
3. Quality of argument (originality, structure, logic, degree of engagement with critical legal theories).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students