Political Science (POLI) 550

Introduction

Political Science 550: Women, Equality, Representation is designed to introduce you to key concepts in feminist thought and central currents in feminist history and examine representation of women in mass media and electoral politics.

Women were once excluded from formal institutions of political power because of their sex and now, decades after winning the right to vote and stand for political office, women remain significantly under-represented in elected parliaments and legislatures. Representation in electoral politics provides a rough measure of women's political equality. On the surface, demands for "gender parity", "equality" or "fair representation" are straightforward and their achievement easily measured - - for instance, political equality will be realized when women win 50 per cent of the seats in the institutions of democratic government, constitute roughly half of the management ranks of the civil service and are appointed on par with men to the bench, the Senate, and so on. But beyond simple measures of gender parity in electoral representation lie complex questions, questions which reflect the organizing concepts and the key themes of the course, equality and representation.

What does equality for women mean in theory and practice? For example, even if women constitute half of the elected officials, some women, including racialized minorities, lesbian, immigrant, poor women and women living with disabilities, may not see themselves reflected among the office holders. Can we say women are "equal" when some are adequately represented, but not others? Furthermore, what does equality for women require; being treated the same way as men, or recognition of women's different experiences and needs? The concept of representation is similarly multi-faceted. Does electing women to half of the seats in legislatures mean that women's interests will be put forward, their political claims carefully considered, and their policy needs met? What are women's interests? When women's interests are diverse, as they invariably are, how can this diversity be appropriately represented? Can women's ideas and goals be advanced by men, or is equality only achieved when women represent themselves?

The course begins with a discussion of key concepts in feminist thought and central currents in feminist theory, with the first section introducing the concept of gender and offering feminist explanations for women's historic and on-going inequality. The second part of the course features feminist theorizing about gender, women's diversity, political equality and representation. This theoretical material serves as the framework for the third part of the course, which examines representation of women in mass media and electoral politics and covers the following themes/topics:

• explanations for women's under-representation in political life and reasons for women's recent increased success in electoral politics
• the nature and impact of women's political representation
• the role of mass media in advancing or obstructing women's equality and political representation
• the question of whether or not women make a difference for women once in elected office
• strategies for promoting gender equality and fair political representation

Women in Public Service

Women make up more than half of Canada's population. Yet, in the last federal election, they accounted for little more than two of every ten candidates. Why have women not made more progress in holding elected office in the past few decades? The Centre for Research and Information on Canada (CRIC) revisited the issue of women's representation in public service and politics by organizing a national roundtable series. If you'd like more information on this issue, the final report on the findings of the roundtable series has been published and is available on CRIC's Web site for you to view and download.

Course Author

This course will be taught by Dr. Jane Arscott; however, it was written by Linda Trimble. Linda is a Professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Alberta, where she has held a position since 1989. Her research reflects a range of interests, including Canadian constitutional deliberations and public policy, but she has focused much of her attention on women's political representation in Canada. Professor Trimble is co-editor of two edited collections on women and political representation in Canada and as well as an edited volume on the changing nature of Canadian politics in the 21st Century. She is also co-author of a book on the topic of women's political representation across Canada and has published numerous articles and book chapters exploring such topics as feminism, the politics of gender, media representations of women politicians, federalism and the constitution, and women's political representation in Canada.

Course Structure

This course is made up of 13 Units to be completed over a 15 week period.

Course Objectives

This course invites you to explore the meaning and practice of women's equality and representation. It begins with the concepts that explain women's historic and continued inequality and political under-representation; gender, patriarchy and the public-private divide. The second part of the course offers feminist theoretical insights into equality and representation. The third section allows students to apply theory to practice by examining the representation of women in electoral politics and representations of women by mass media. POLI 550 is interdisciplinary in content and approach, employing feminist theory and political theory, and introducing aspects of women's studies, cultural studies and political science.

By the end of the course students will be able to

• summarize and apply feminist theories exploring the concepts of gender, political equality and representation.
• demonstrate critical thinking about what political equality and representation for women mean both in theory and practice.
• explain the reasons for women's historic and on-going inequality in social and political life.
• assess empirical and qualitative measures of gender equality and gender-based political representation.
• apply relevant conceptual frameworks to observations of media portrayals of women politicians.
• evaluate, on the basis of their understandings of gender equality and effective representation, strategies for action and change.

Note: Specific student learning objectives are listed by unit.

Student Evaluation

You should be prepared to devote the time necessary for successful completion of the course activities. It is your responsibility to keep up with the readings, to read actively and critically, and to complete all writing assignments on time. Participation in online conference activities is a crucial element of the course, and you will be expected to pose thoughtful questions and respectful replies, moderate one online discussion, and work with your course colleagues to complete group activities.

To be successful in this course, you are required to

• read all the assigned readings and texts.
• actively participate in the weekly online conferences structured around the readings.
• contribute effectively to group work for online conferences.
• prepare discussion questions for and moderate one online discussion.
• complete a Reflective Paper on Part I of the course, due at the beginning of Week 5 (500-750 words).
• submit an Analytical Paper on Part II of the course, due at the beginning of Week 8 (a 750-1000 words).
• produce an Applied Assignment (film review), due at the beginning of Week 12 (500-750 words).
• write a Final Integrative Paper, due at the end of Week 15 (2500-3000 words).

To receive credit in this course, you must complete the following activities and assignments, achieving a grade of sixty percent or better for each component: