In this seminar, students 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. The class explores some of the general themes and debates that have emerged as feminists attempt to understand and critique the law's explicit and implicit constructions of gender as they relate to various groups of women and men. It also discusses specific applications of theory to law and social policy, including topics related to work and wealth distribution, intimate and familial relationships, identity performance and constraints on agency, and the regulation of sexuality.