Gender and Law
Length: 1000- 1250 words s)
The lectures and readings point to two different understandings of Canadian law . The
first, which Ngaire Naffine refers to as the “official version of l aw,” claims the law is fair,
neutra l and concerned with equality. The second understands the law as a site in which
sexism , racism, homophobia and other forms of inequality are reproduced. According to
this second understanding, the law can be implicated in the construction of the
“mythical norm.”
In this assignment, you are being asked to define either the “official version of law” or
the “mythical norm,” and critically analyze how your chosen concept can be used to
critique sexism and/or racism and/or homophobia in Canadian law and society .
Please read carefully the below descriptions of Topics 1 and 2 as well as the assignment
instructions. It is strongly recommended that you review all relevant readings before
deciding upon your topic.
TOPIC 1
A Critical Analysis of “The Official Version of Law”
Your essay should include the following:
– A brief (one paragraph) summary of Ngaire Naffine’s conception of the “official
version of l aw,” as discussed by Elizabeth Comack (“Theoretical Approaches in
the Sociology of Law”) and Elizabeth Comack and Gillian Balfour (“Theorizing
Law”).
– At least two specific examples (from the readings) that illustrate the operation
of sexism and /or racism and/or homophobia in Canadian law. Each of your
examples could (quite possibly) concer n more than one form of oppression. For
the purposes of this assignment, “ the law” should be understood as the judiciary
and police (i.e. decisions, behaviour and comments) and the actions of the
Canadian government.
– A c ritical analysis of the “official version” of Canadian law that references your
examples.
TOPIC 2
A Critical Analysis of “The Mythical Norm”
Your essay should include the following:
– A brief (one paragraph) summary of Audrey Lorde’s conception of the “mythical
norm,” as discussed by Barbara Perry (“The Mythical Norm”).
– At least two specific examples (from the readings) that illustrate the operation
of sexism and/or racism and/or homophobia in Canadian law. Each of your
examples could (quite possibly) concern more than one form of oppression. For
the purposes of this assignment, “the law” should be understood as the judiciary
and police (i.e. decisions, behaviour and comments) and the actions of the
Canadian government.
– A critical analysis of the “ mythical norm” in Canadi an law and society that
references your examples .
ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS (for both Topics 1 and Topic 2)
There is no need to do library research for this paper. You must, however, refer to at
least three readings from September 1 7 , September 24 , and/or October 1 .
Your paper should be 1000-1250 words in length (roughly 4 -5 pages), typed in Times
New Roman 12-point font, double – spaced and with 1” margins. The essay should be
developed around an explicit thesis. It must include proper referencing. Citations should
be provided according to APA guidelines and your paper must include a bibliography.
The essay should also have a cover page that indicates: an original and relevant title (not
“Assignment #1” or “A Critical Analysis of ‘The Mythical Norm ’” ), your name and student
number, the course code, your TA’s name, the date the assignment is being submitted,
and the number of words in your paper. Your bibliography and cover page do not factor
into your page count or word count.
You are expecte d to submit both a paper copy to your TA and an electronic copy (the
latter through “turnitin” on the 1350 Moodle page).
Additionally, you are expected to attach to the back of your paper verification that you
have completed York University’s on – line Ac ademic Integrity tutorial
(www.yorku.ca/tutorial/academic_integrity/ ). You must log – in to do this tutorial (so
your name appears on the results page) and you must receive a score of 100%.
Papers submitted without appropriate verification for academic honesty will receive
an automatic grade of zero until completed.
Be sure to refer to the syllabus for details regarding the guidelines followed in this
course with respect to plagiarism. Also consult York University’s Senate Policy on
Academic Honesty at:
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=69.
Students are advised to keep an extra copy of all work submitted and to retain all rough
notes used in the preparation of assignments, including electronic drafts of essays.
Failure to submit rough notes and drafts when requested will also result in a grade of
zero for the assignment.
As noted in the syllabus, academic performance depends on doing your work not only
well, but on time. This assignment is to be handed in to your TA during your scheduled
tutorial time and must be received on the due date outlined above. A penalty of 2% per
day (including weekends) will ap ply to any papers hand in late. Although the
Department does have drop boxes for each course, papers are not date- stamped . As
such, papers left in the Department’s drop box will be counted as late and penalties will
apply to the date they are picked up by your TA (not to the dat e you dropped your
paper off). If you have not contacted your TA about submitting your paper late before it
is due, they may not accept it.
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