AP/POLS 4155 3.00

The Politics of the Canadian Women's Movement

CROSSLISTED COURSES: AS/AK WMST 4503 & GL POLS 4603

This course examines the women's movement in Canada with particular emphasis on the political dimensions of its historical and contemporary development. To begin, we survey interpretations of the first-wave women's movement, focusing on the dynamic between the women's movement and its intersection with existing political parties and parliamentary institutions. We then explore the growth of a wide range of women's organizations and explore how each represents "women's" interests. Our investigations may focus on national organizations, regional organizations, or organizations based on particular groups of women (for example: NAC, CACSW, LEAF, native women, Quebec women, black women, or lesbian women). Particular women's organizations will be studied in light of internal dynamics within the organizations and external political pressures, including: constitutional developments, federalism, party politics, and the fiscal crisis of the state. Finally, we reflect on the implications of these political forces for the development of a politically effective women's movement that reflects the diversity of women in Canada.