Law has played an integral role in producing ideas about 'race' and in shaping the lives of racialised communities in Australia and elsewhere. Today however, some argue that the law is racially neutral and that we live in a post-racial society. This unit will explore influential scholarship in critical race theory and consider emerging debates on the relationship between the law, race and racism. By adopting a critical and intersectional perspective, this unit aims to deepen understandings of particular historical and contemporary laws and legal practices. The focus is on the explanatory and analytical utility of critical race theory. The examination of legal practices will include comparisons between the practices in various countries, and traverse various legal disciplines. Topics may include the law and racial classification; racial profiling; identity based claims and recognition; spatial and temporal dimensions of racialisation; legal approaches to historical (and contemporary) injustices such as colonialism, slavery and war; property; the organisation and policing of borders; and forms of resistance. Class discussion is an important part of this unit and lively debate on the readings is encouraged.
Unit details and rules
Academic unit | Law |
---|---|
Credit points | 6 |
Prerequisites
?
|
None |
Corequisites
?
|
None |
Prohibitions
?
|
LAWS5214 |
Assumed knowledge
?
|
None |
Available to study abroad and exchange students | Yes |
Teaching staff
Coordinator | Louise Boon-Kuo, louise.boon-kuo@sydney.edu.au |
---|