In a carefully balanced and thoughtfully edited collection of classic and new, cuttingedge papers, katharine bartlett and rosanne kennedy present some of the most provocative and diverse work in this exciting field. The book centers on feminist legal theories, including equal treatment theory, cultural feminism, dominance theory, critical race feminism, lesbian feminism, postmodern feminism, and ecofeminism. The book centers on feminist legal theoriesincluding equal treatment theory, cultural feminism, dominance theory, critical race feminism, lesbian feminism, postmodern feminism, and ecofeminism. This volume carefully examines the relationship between gender, equality, and power across an array of realms. There is no original or primary gender a drag imitates, but gender is a kind of. Feminist legal theory feminist legal theory is the study of the philosophical foundations of law and justice. Not only has feminist jurisprudence become an integral part of legal theory, but. The second volume will explore the application of feminist legal theory to specific substantive areas of the law, such as criminal law, the first of two volumes, foundations examines theoretical issues about the interaction between law and gender. Feminist legal theory is just over a decade old in the united states and is even younger in most other countries. Intimate encounters, uncomfortable conversations is a groundbreaking collection that brings together leading scholars in contemporary legal theory. Feminist legal theory is one of the most dynamic fields in the law, and it affects issues ranging from. Widely respected as a leading text in the field, introduction to feminist legal theory 3d ed.
Verchick is not only a sophisticated theoretical exposition of feminist legal theory, but also a vivid analysis of real cases and popular culture and their relationship to womens issues. The leading text in the field, introduction to feminist legal theory was the first book that served as an introductory survey of feminist jurisprudence. To these ends, feminist philosophy of law applies insights from feminist epistemology, relational metaphysics and progressive social ontology, feminist political theory, and other developments in feminist philosophy to understand how legal institutions enforce dominant gendered and masculinist norms. Cain race, racism, and feminist legal theory marlee kline demarginalizing the. The volume explores, at times contentiously, convergences and departures among a variety of feminist and queer political projects. Highly recommended for those considering law school or a legal career, as well as researchers and academics.
Verchick introduce the diverse strands of feminist legal. At long last, the complex field of feminist legal theory is presented in accessible, teachable form by two of its experts, nancy levit and robert r. Reviews this wonderful collection provides a fitting tribute to the dynamism and diversity of contemporary feminist legal theory. The successes of the contemporary feminist movement might not have. Situations generating conflicts should be analyzed in light of larger patterns of political, economic, and social inequalities along not only gender but also race, class, and sexual orientation lines. Introduction to feminist legal theory unquote books. Now, in the completely updated second edition of this outstanding primer, nancy levit and robert r.
Feminist legal theory and tort law martha chamallas 21. Key concepts hegemonic masculinity patriarchal dividend. In this outstanding primer, the authors introduce the diverse strands of feminist legal theory and the array of substantive legal issues relevant to womens and gender studies. Drawing on literature which is extremely rich and varied, these volumes include articles from a range leading legal scholars and feminists.
Feminist jurisprudence is a philosophy of law based on the political, economic, and social equality of sexes. Feminist legal theory second edition ebook by nancy. Getting it and losing it martha minow race and essentialism in feminist legal theory angela p. The book centers on feminist legal theoriesincluding. Twenty years later, the virginia supreme court did the same thing to another lesbian mother. The authors also address feminist legal methods, such as consciousness raising and storytelling. Feminist legal theory, also known as feminist jurisprudence, is based on the belief that the law has been fundamental in women s historical subordination. Feminist legal theory an anti essentialist reader abebooks. Feminist philosophy of law stanford encyclopedia of. Feminist philosophy of law stanford encyclopedia of philosophy.
The ashgate research companion to feminist legal theory. Martha chamallas has updated her invaluable text introduction to feminist legal theory. Feminist legal theory readings in law and gender taylor. Lacey, feminist legal t heory beyond neu trality 1995 482 current legal pr oblems 8.
Try searching on jstor for other items related to this book. In the context of law, modern feminist texts today encompass arguments for the rights of women and the achievement of equal political and legal status that were advocated as early. Readers will find new material on women in politics, gender and globalization, and the promise and danger of expanding social media. The goals of feminist legal theory, as defined by leading theorist claire dalton, consist of understanding and exploring the female experience, figuring out if law and institutions oppose females, and figuring out. Worden patriarchal hegemony and legal education \ mary o\brien and sheila mcintyre feminist reason. Bartlett is professor of law at duke university school of law and the author of many articles on family law and feminist legal theory. It would be a misconception to believe that legal feminism as an idea came about only in the late 20th century. Feminist legal theory is a legacy both of the nineteenth century campaigns for womens emancipation and of the renaissance of feminist activism in the united states and elsewhere since the 1960s. Feminist legal theoryis just over a decade old in the united states and is even younger in most other countries. Feminist legal theory and the rights of women oxford. Introduction to feminist legal theory, third edition. Our understanding of the law and its potential for reforming s. First, feminist jurisprudence seeks to explain ways in which the law played a role in womens former subordinate status.
Here, francis olsen presents the best articles from within this burgeoning field. The book centers on feminist legal theories, including equal treatment theory, cultural feminism, dominance theory, critical race feminism, lesbian feminism. Bringing together leading scholars, it achieves the admirable feat of simultaneously providing an authoritative and highly accessible introduction to a rich and evolving body of scholarship, whilst simultaneously advancing the field through numerous. The book centers on feminist legal theoriesincluding equal treatment theory, cultural feminism, dominance theory, critical race feminism, lesbian feminism. Feminists working in law share the convictions that the historical and continuing exclusions of women. In this course, we will read feminist theory, queer theory, and other critical theory in order to examine constructions of gender and the roles legal systems play in those constructions. Feminist legal theory, volume 2 volume 15 of the international library of essays in law and legal theory.
Feminist legal theory is one of the most dynamic fields in the law, and it affects issues ranging from child custody to sexual harassment. Feminist legal studies is committed to an international perspective and to the promotion of feminist work in all areas of law, legal theory and legal practice. Although there is much debate about its definition, feminist legal theory can be understood as the manifestation in the legal academy of a range of. Critiques of law thus became an important part of the early feminist movement, which succeeded in eradicating the most blatant examples of legal sexism.
Issues regarding feminist thought have for a very long time been issues of great concern. Feminist and queer legal theory intimate encounters. In the context of law, modern feminist texts today encompass arguments for the rights of women and the achievement of equal political and legal status that were advocated as early as the 18th. Key concepts queer theory heterosexual matrix performativity. Here is the publishers description of the new edition.
The leading text in the field, introduction to feminist legal theory was the first book that served as an introductory survey of feminist. An antiessentialist reader by nancy dowd, michelle jacobs and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. One scholar credited gilligans book with helping her understand why i felt so. Feminist legal theory second edition critical america. Since its initial publication in 2006, feminist legal theory. Rather than presenting feminist legal theory sequentially, with african american feminism or critical race feminism added on at the end, the volume thoroughly integrates key readings from nonwhite, nonmiddle class, and nonmainstream writers throughout. It is the first stop in researching womens issues for any academic or student of the law.
Feminist legal theory oxford academic oxford university press. Feminist legal theory spring 2016 professor laura rosenbury. Feminist legal theory is a carefully balanced and thoughtfully edited collection of classic and new papers from the exciting field of feminist legal thought. Clear and concise overview of the common law with a solid introduction to critical legal theory, and feminist jurisprudence in particular. This course examines feminist legal theory as both a site of intellectual inquiry and a tool for effecting social change. In 1975, california courts stripped a lesbian mother of her custody rights because she was living openly with another woman. Feminist theory law research canons research guides at. Feminist legal theory shows the importance of the roles of law and feminist legal theory in shaping contemporary gender issues. As a field of legal scholarship, feminist jurisprudence began in 1960s. How feminism remade american family law and how it did not susan frelich appleton 23. American feminists have identified law as an instrument of male supremacy since their first national gathering at seneca falls, new york in 1848. Transcending the boundaries of law is a groundbreaking collection that will be central to future developments in feminist and related critical theories about law. Feminist legal theory second edition ebook by nancy levit.
In its pages three generations of feminist legal theorists engage with what have become key feminist themes, including equality, embodiment, identity, intimacy, and law and politics. Feminist legal theory is based on the feminist view that laws treatment of women in relation to men has not been equal or fair. In ordering that children be separated from their mothers, these courts ruled that it was not possible for a woman to be both a good parent and a lesbian. Feminist legal theory also suggests how feminist practice might move toward strategies capable of fostering more effective reform. Similarly, feminist legal scholars argue for attention in legal education and in legal advocacy to particular contexts. Feminist legal theory a primer rent 9780814751992 0814751997. Bringing together leading scholars, it achieves the admirable feat of simultaneously providing an authoritative and highly accessible introduction to a rich and evolving body of scholarship, whilst simultaneously advancing the field through numerous original. What makes current feminist legal theory so important is the farreaching challenge it poses to the assumptions embedded in traditional legal doctrine and method as well as the light.