Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2025 - POL 350 D100

Public Policy for Women (4)

Class Number: 4738

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 8, 2025: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    30 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Examines issues where ideas about males and females either explicitly or implicitly influence policy makers. Focuses on current public policies and their relationship to women on topics such as sexuality and violence, economic security, race and inequality, and climate change. Students with credit for GSWS (or WS) 350 may not take this course for further credit. Students who have taken this topic under GSWS (or WS) 320 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

The Me-Too Movement and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls illustrate how gender remains an important issue in contemporary politics.  We now see a more significant presence of women – including racialized women and Indigenous women – in legislatures.  However, this optimism must be tempered with an awareness of counter momentum, including the rise of white supremacy movements.  Technology-facilitated violence against politicians is a growing concern around the world. Digital technologies are used to insult, harass, intimidate, and deter women in parliament.  How can public policymakers reduce the gender gap in various areas, including political participation and employment opportunities? Since women are not a homogenous group, how can public policymakers also consider the way women are differently situated depending on their race and class? What role do women’s movements play in such areas as violence against women, family law, and poverty?

Grading

  • Three quizzes 30%
  • Attendance and Participation 10%
  • Small Group Exercises 10%
  • Reading Critique 15%
  • Term paper proposal 10%
  • Term paper 25%

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Jacquetta Newman and Linda A. White, Women, Politics, and Public Policy: The Political Struggles of Canadian Women, (Oxford University Press 2020) ebook 20190103191, 3rd ed.


Tracey Raney and Cheryl N. Collier eds., Gender-Based Violence in Canadian Politics in the #Metoo Era, (University of Toronto Press 2024) ebook 978-1-4875-4004-3


REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

The Department of Political Science strictly enforces a policy on plagiarism.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.