Outline: CAN 230

The Status of Women in Canada

Subject Description

Credit Status

Co-Requisites

Learning Outcomes

• sex and gender. 
• differences and similarities between the women's liberation movement and feminism. 
• feminism as an ideological construction. 
• women's studies and its status in academic institutions.

2.  Imagery and Symbolism

• social construction of female images 
• predominant historical images, symbols, and myths of women 
• gender stereotyping and contemporary views of women 
• advertising images of women 
• non-sexist and inclusion language 
• feminist constructions of women’s images 

3.  Ancient History

• life in matrilineal societies in Egypt, Crete and Mesopotamia - the roots of Western civilization 
• the last ice age, the rise of the great city states 
• the role of women in peaceful, elegant and egalitarian matrinlineal civilizations 
• Bronze Age civilizations 
• patriarchal revolution, the Hebrew perspective, Greek and Roman perspective and the rise of the Judeo-Christian ethic and monotheistic religions 
• Celtic history in Europe 
• European Dark Ages 
• Renaissance and the scientific mode of thought - centralization of power by the church and state increased alienation of women through economic dependency and physical violence 
• witch hunts 
• recovery - a continuing effort 

4.  Contemporary History

• international suffrage movement – how women got the vote back 
• Canadian pioneer foremothers in Canada 
• native women's contribution 

5.  The Biological Perspective

• sex similarities and difference 
• is anatomy destiny? 
• anatomy as it relates to gender 
• historical studies and contemporary issues in the study of male/female biological differences 
• anatomical mythology and the politics of subscribing gender differences to “nature” 

6.  Socialization

• development of social-psychological differences in women and men - a gendered social learning process 
• sex-role stereotyping 
• politics of socialization 
• role of the major institutions in sexist socialization - church, state, the family and school 

7.  Women and Work - Public/Private Sphere of Work

• women’s history of work 
• changing labor force participation rates for women 
• gender segregation of work 
• present status of working Canadian women: characteristics of women's paid work 
• equal pay for equal work/equal pay for work of equal value 
• working women and corporate capitalism 
• the intersection of public/private realms of work for women 

8.  Women and Their Bodies

• women and their sexuality - regaining control of our bodies 
• contraception, pregnancy, childbirth and menopause 
• violence against women 

9.  Women and the Family - The Private Sphere

• the psychology of women - family socialization as an important agent in establishing gender roles 
• marriage, divorce and the Family Reform Act 
• motherhood 
• division of labor in the family 
• widowhood 

10.  The Future of Women in Canada

• "the personal is political" 
• world patterns of male dominance and female resistance 
• international agenda of the women's movement 
• Marxist/Socialist Feminism, Postmodern Feminism 

Texts & Materials 

Modes of Evaluation

Modes of Instruction

PROMOTION POLICY

NOTE:   Refer to your professor’s “Addendum to the Subject Outline” for more information on Texts & Materials, Modes of Evaluation, Weekly Schedule and Class Standards.

ATTENDANCE & PARTICIPATION

STUDENT / FACULTY CONSULTATION
Please make an appointment to discuss subject material, as well as your progress in the course, with your professor during office hours.

LEARNING CENTRE
For free assistance in English, visit our Writing Centre and make an appointment with one of our tutors. Tutors can offer guidance and help you remedy writing problems, but will not proofread, or correct grammar, or alter content.

DROPPING This SUBJECT
There are two deadlines for dropping this subject.  If you drop by Day 10 of the semester, the subject will not appear on your transcript.  If you drop by the last drop date (see Student handbook), the subject will appear on your transcript with a grade of DNC.  To drop, please notify your professor, complete a “Timetable Change Form”, have it signed by an English & Liberal Studies Coordinator, and deliver it to Registration by the deadline.  Discuss any possible negative consequences of dropping the subject with the Coordinator.
 

Grading Policy		GPA
A+	90%-100%	4.0
A	80%-89%	4.0
B+	75%-79%	3.5
B	70%-74%	3.0
C+	65%-69%	2.5
C	60%-64%	2.0
D	55%-59%	1.0
F	0%-54%	0

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

ACADEMIC HONESTY (Section 9 and Appendix E - Academic Policy)

STUDENT APPEALS (Section 12 –  Academic Policy)
Students have the right to appeal academic decisions of the College.  The procedures for informal and formal appeals are outlined in Academic Policy.
If a student disagrees with the evaluation of an assignment or with a final grade, s/he must first discuss the matter with the professor in an attempt to resolve the disagreement. If the matter is not resolved, the student should discuss the problem with the Coordinator or the Chair of English and Liberal Studies.
Students must keep all assignments (including drafts and outlines) and exercises until they receive their final grade. No appeal will be considered unless a complete file is submitted at the time of the appeal. 

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT – See the Student Handbook
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Resolution, Equity and Diversity Centre.