Feminist Legal Theory - A Primer (Hardcover)

View the Table of Contents. Read the Introduction.

aThis excellent primer traces the development of feminist theories in a legal system to which women and feminists are relatively new. The authors traverse various feminist legal theories, describing their inherent differences, as well as their crucial common ground; their influence on the legal world; their successes both perceived and real; and finally, their dynamic nature, which prime activists and academics for social and political change...The book also raises issues of goals unfulfilled and challenges to come by providing an insightfully provoking discussion of diverse issues. It explores more traditionally afeminista legal topics such as domestic violence and rape, current debates, such as single-sex schools and women in the US military, and larger issues regarding the applicability of feminist legal theories in the face of a shrinking, globalized world.a
--"Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law, and Justice"

aThis excellent primer traces the development of feminist theories in a legal system to which women and feminists are relatively new. The authors traverse various feminist legal theories, describing their inherent differences, as well as their crucial common ground; their influence on the legal world; their successes, both perceived and real; and finally, their dynamic nature, which prime activists and academics for social and political change. . . . The book also raises issues of goals unfulfilled and challenges to come by providing an insightfully provoking discussion of diverse issues. It explores more traditionally afeminista legal topics such as domestic violence and rape, current debates, such as single-sex schoolsand women in the U.S. military, and larger issues regarding the applicability of feminist legal theories in the face of a shrinking, globalized world.a
--"Berkeley Journal of Gender, Law, and Justice"

aThis book is perfectly designed as a text for undergraduates. The writing is lively and accessible; the topic coverage is broad, interesting, and up-to-date; and the subject of feminist legal theory is represented in many forms. Levit and Verchick invite readers to engage in the debate over lawas impact on gendered controversies, and to select solutions from among competing visions of equality.a
--"Choice" (highly recommended)

aFeminist Legal Theory brings together a comprehensive and lucid treatment of feminist theoretical approaches to the most pressing legal problems of our time. This book will serve as an essential desk reference for those who are new to feminist legal theory as well as for those of us who are veterans.a
--Katherine Franke, Columbia Law School

"An important new assessment, wisely crafted, controversial, provocative, unusual, not just another addition to a settled field."
--Susan Estrich, author of "Sex & Power "

"A must-read for those who are interested in how feminist legal thinking has influenced and continues to have an impact on the development of legal rules. I recommend it to all those who are interested in the complex problems that confront women throughout the world in the twenty-first century."
--Theresa Beiner, professor of law, University of Arkansas at Little Rock

"Using the multi-faceted lens of feminism, Levit and Verchick circumnavigate contemporary legal theory with an amazing confidence, acute insights, and impressiveenergy. Anyone interested in ways that the law impacts the lives of women (and men) will find this book essential reading."
--Keith Aoki, Philip H. Knight Professor of Law, University of Oregon School of Law

a[C]learly-worded and effective in the presentation of occasionally confusing or conflicting issues and perspectives.a
--"Women, Girls & Criminal Justice"

At long last, the complex field of feminist legal theory is presented in accessible, teachable form by two of its experts, Nancy Levit and Robert R. M. Verchick. In this outstanding primer, the authors introduce the diverse strands of feminist legal theory and the array of substantive legal issues relevant to women's and gender studies. The book centers on feminist legal theories--including equal treatment theory, cultural feminism, dominance theory, critical race feminism, lesbian feminism, postmodern feminism, and ecofeminism. The authors also address feminist legal methods, such as consciousness raising and storytelling.

The primer demonstrates the ways feminist legal theory operates in real-life contexts, including domestic violence, reproductive rights, workplace discrimination, education, sports, pornography, and global issues of gender. Levit and Verchick highlight a sweeping range of cutting edge topics at the intersection of law and gender, such as single sex schools, women in the military, abortion, same sex marriage, date rape, and the international trafficking in women and girls.

At its core, "Feminist Legal Theory" shows the importance of the role of law and feminist legal theory in shaping contemporary gender issues.