TOPICS: GENDER AND POLITICS in Spring 2022 (PO2091C)

This seminar examines political power from a gendered perspective, with the aim of

introducing students to a wide range gendered issues within the field of politics, and offering

students further tools to engage in these issues themselves. We will study a variety of political

debates and theoretical approaches, both historical and contemporary, exploring feminist and

gender-queer interventions within the discipline of political science as well as within policy-

making. In particular, we will focus on intersections of gender and power in political theory;

gendered representation in politics and voting behaviour; and the gendered impacts of public

policies. Throughout this course, we will also analyse how gender intersects with other social

categories and identities, such as race, class, religion, and partisanship.

Colleen Pearl is a scholar of continental philosophy, critical theory and queer feminist politics. Her current research interests focus on trauma and ethical philosophy, as well as gender and social justice activism. In her courses, Colleen aims to stimulate deeper critical thinking, agency, and active dialogue amongst the students, and to encourage further awareness of the connections between their studies and their daily lives.