Unit information: Equality and Discrimination Law: Theory and Practice in 2019/20

Unit name	Equality and Discrimination Law: Theory and Practice
Unit code	LAWD30130
Credit points	20
Level of study	H/6
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Jule Mulder
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	University of Bristol Law School
Faculty	Faculty of Social Sciences and Law

Description including Unit Aims

This Unit considers the theory and practice of equality and discrimination law from an international, European and comparative perspective. It will introduce students to the various meanings of equality and non-discrimination across jurisdictions and allow them to appreciate the different normative underpinnings (dignity, autonomy, stigma, disadvantage) of the concepts. This knowledge will then complement the understanding of doctrine in terms of the different legislative frameworks and caselaw that have developed in each jurisdiction. The doctrine will cover key concepts like the meaning of grounds/personal characteristics, the test for discrimination, the difference between direct and indirect discrimination, the justification defences, standard of review and remedies, including positive action. The unit considers doctrine from a comparative perspective and covers international (including CEDAW, CRPD, ICCPR), European (European Union and Council of Europe) and Civil and Common law countries within the EU and beyond (including Continental Europe, South Africa, the US, Canada, India, South America).

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of the unit, students will be able to:

• Assess/review and apply the International, European, and national legal frameworks of equality and discrimination law and the different legal concepts that are involved therein (e.g. protected characteristics, direct/indirect discrimination, justification, positive action).
• Reflect on the convergences and differences between the International, European and national approaches and consider the reasons for it.
• Contextualise the legal issues and reflect on the different theoretical approaches which explain the doctrine in terms of the structural, social and historical inequalities in a particular jurisdiction.
• Research on equality and discrimination law and to develop arguments based on the material and critically assess their contribution.

Teaching Information

The Unit consists of 10 lectures and 10 seminars (2 hours each).

Assessment Information

1 formative assessment: 1 x 1,000 word coursework.

Formative assessments do not count towards final mark and can be optional.

2 summative assessments: 2 x 2,000 word coursework.

Summative assessments do count towards final mark.

The assessments will assess all of the intended learning outcomes for this unit.

Reading and References

Key resource: Sandra Fredman, Discrimination Law (2^nd edn, OUP 2011).