‘Rights and Resistance’ focuses on the relationships between the law, social change and historically contingent attitudes towards genders and sexualities in modern Britain. The module requires students to address changes in the law, socio-legal debates and the development of social justice campaigns pertaining to gender and sexuality between the late nineteenth century and the latter half of the twentieth century. Topics covered include the criminalisation and decriminalisation of male homosexuality, the regulation of prostitution, transgender rights and abortion law reform. In the seminars we will analyse different types of evidence, including Home Office papers, newspaper reports, film, and activist collections.
The module is assessed via coursework assignments.