Faculty Books
Jeff Kosbie
J-Kosbie@nlaw.northwestern.edu
Advisor: Nielsen
Areas of Interest
Law and Society, Sexualities, Gender, Social Movements, Culture
Current Research
Dissertation: My dissertation will examine the role of lgbt legal organizations in a broader social movement. I ask how legal organizations define priorities and how that impacts activist organizations. Is there something special about the law and its ability to define priorities? If so, do legal and non-legal actors understand the law in different manners? I seek to move beyond an understanding of lawyers as elites to ask when lawyers should also be understood as activists. As my dissertation develops, I may bring in other questions: How do conservative legal organizations compete to define lgbt rights? How are other legal actors relevant? How do lawyers and activists choose between pursuing litigation, legislation, constitutional amendments, grassroots mobilization, or other venues?
“Gender Identity Expression as Free Speech”: In this doctrinal legal analysis, I argue that our free speech values support protecting gender identity expression as free speech. I focus on how government regulations of conduct violate freedom of speech when those regulations are based on the message expressed by particular conduct. I argue that government regulations of gender identity expression are based on the gender message expressed by particular conduct, and thus the regulations violate freedom of speech.
Awards/Honors
2008, MacArthur Summer Research Grant, Dept of Sociology, Northwestern
“Litigation and Social Movements in the case of Same-Sex Marriage Rights.”
2007, MacArthur Summer Research Grant, Dept of Sociology, Northwestern
“Participation of Early Career Lawyers in Activist Legal Organizations”
2006-present, Graduate School Fellowship, Northwestern University
2006, BA in sociology, Brandeis University, Summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa.
2002-2006, Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholarship, Brandeis University.
Relevant Link
William Henry Exum Award
The intent of this prize is to honor the memory of William Henry Exum, a member of the Department of Sociology and the African American Studies Department, who died in 1986 at the age of 37. Exum was concerned with the quality of writing and research analysis in student papers. He was also interested in racial problems facing minority youths in higher education. This award was established as a means of continuing his goals of breaking barriers for all minorities.
The award submission deadline is April 27, 2012. All interested students should submit a 15-20 page paper, typed and double-spaced, on a topic dealing with race and ethnicity. Students are not limited to a sociological approach in preparing their submissions, nor is the award limited to sociology or social science majors.
The paper should include a cover sheet with the student's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, year in school, and major.
Three copies of the essay must be submitted by the announced deadline to the Exum Award - Department of Sociology, 1810 Chicago Ave., Evanston Campus or one copy by email to sociol@northwestern.edu.
This award is open to all undergraduate students from all disciplines.
Upcoming Events
COLLOQUIUM: Myra Marx Ferree, Sociology, University of WI-Madison
May 17, 2012 • 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM
Culture and Society Workshop
May 17, 2012 • 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM
