Taught by the renowned Professor Constance Backhouse, this January-term exchange course is open to students from the Universities of Ottawa and Puerto Rico. It immerses students in feminist legal studies while fostering cross-cultural dialogue. The course is designed to explore a cross-section of legal issues with a focus on gender, class, and race discrimination.
FeminaRico offers a gradual and immersive exploration of feminist legal issues. In the first week, while in Ottawa, students begin tackling topics such as a historical overview of women’s legal status in Canada, sexual violence and the law in Canadian history, informed by readings of books and articles by Constance Backhouse. Then, in week two, all students travel to San Juan and study at the University of Puerto Rico, covering topics such as Black Female Experiences with Justice System, Disability & Intersectionality and Race and Judging. UOttawa students gain a better understanding of Puerto Rico’s history and legal landscape through books such as Aftershocks of Disaster, by Yarimar Bonilla and Marisol LeBrón.
A Broadened Perspective on Feminism and the Law
For Bionca Chu, 3L, FeminaRico expanded her understanding of feminist legal issues beyond a Canadian context:
“As a Canadian-born law student, I often forget how privileged I am. Although uOttawa is diverse, being able to hear about the experiences of the Puerto Rican students made me consider feminist issues beyond gender. I was able to think about these issues from a racial, cultural, and socio-economic perspective.” She described the course as a rare opportunity to engage in meaningful legal discussions while also exploring Puerto Rico’s rich history and culture.
Reframing Feminism and Legal Advocacy
Katherine Girguis is in the final year of her JD/BCom and is studying in the French Common Law Program. For Girguis, the course was a deeply personal experience that allowed her to redefine feminism on her own terms.
“This course took the shame away from being a feminist. That, on its own, will affect my advocacy. It also challenged us to think of feminist solutions to our legal system—how we draw our ethical lines while also considering the treatment of women in the legal system. For instance the kinds of questions we ask women in cross examinations for sexual assault cases, and what solutions the courts offer for the 'protection of women' that in fact, women never asked for at all.”
She highlighted how Professor Backhouse’s mentorship played a significant role in making the class an open and exploratory space, free from the rigid expectations often found in legal education.
Law Beyond the Classroom
Madeline Meilun, 2L, emphasized how studying in Puerto Rico provided an unparalleled depth to the discussions in class.
“We were face-to-face with all the things we were learning and reading about, such as the elements of active colonialism still going on in Puerto Rico, the lack of infrastructure, and the struggles faced by the Puerto Rican people. The dimension of studying alongside Puerto Rican law students, coming from such different worlds, just added such richness to the experience.”
The course didn’t just inform her academically—it reshaped her career aspirations. “It has really inspired me to pursue more academics down the line—I’m strongly considering pursuing an LLM.”
A Different Kind of Legal Education
One of the most distinctive aspects of FeminaRico is its departure from the traditional law school environment. As Girguis put it, “doing readings by the beach, or meetings beyond the classroom, really allowed me to experience law school as I always thought it could be; to really immerse myself in my readings in a non-stressful environment to just let all the messages sink in.”
More than just a course, FeminaRico is a transformative experience for those willing to step outside their comfort zones, offering an opportunity to see the world—and the law—through an entirely new lens.
