GWST 3600

Sex. Race, & West. Pol. Thgt

Lec 01 selected

Representations of women and constructs of femininity are a significant part of mainstream western political thought. This course explores these topics in the work of leading western philosophers, such as Aristotle, Aquinas, Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau, with attention to understanding the relation of ideas of sexual difference to general systems of thought. The course also considers how conceptions of gender difference and equality shape contemporary political, legal and philosophical discourses and practices, including in feminist critical theory and international human rights scholarship and activism. We will consider the arguments and strategies used by men and women in the past century to address systemic discrimination and advance gender equality.

Sections

Lecture

From the syllabus

From the Winter 2024 syllabus by Adam Foster. Fall 2026 is taught by Denike M., so details may differ. Open the PDF

Grading

20%AttendanceAttendance marks start after add/drop date
30%Monthly quizzes (3)Brightspace; one-hour quizzes
25%First essayFour pages; due February 27
25%Second essayFour pages; readings from second half; due April 9

Textbooks

  • The Idea of Race, Robert Bernasconi and Tommy Lee Lott, editors
  • Red Skin, White Masks, Glen Coulthard
  • Intersectionality as Critical Social Theory, Patricia Hill Collins
  • The Right to Maim: Debility, Capacity, Disability, Jasbir Puar

Course rules

Attendance
Arriving after your name is called means you will not receive that day's attendance mark.
Illness absence
Contact the instructor within three days with a Student Absence Declaration form; university policy permits two declarations per semester.
Late quizzes
Late quizzes are not accepted except for a medical or family emergency.
Late essays
Essays lose five points per day after the deadline and are not accepted after April 23.
Generative tools
Generative writing tools, including ChatGPT, Google Translate, and QuillBot, are not permitted.
Recordings
Lecture and discussion recordings are prohibited except for documented accessibility accommodations.
Originality checks
Students may choose an alternative to originality-checking software by notifying the instructor by the add/drop deadline.
Class conduct
Students are expected to engage respectfully and use civil language during discussions.

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