University of Waterloo
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Course Description
This course provides the foundations so that we can understand why a focus on women particularly in Canada is necessary in the pursuit of recognizing injustice and doing justice. We take a look at Canada’s history and examine the features of gender, race, class, sexual orientation, ability and age in how marginalization occurs. We unpack the layers of power and exploitation to understand how many women are forced to endure complex layers of oppression. We look at the role of body image, and the media in maintaining differences of devalue as well as patriarchal systems function that keep women poor, subject to violence and subordinate in work and family. In all our discussions we keep race and sexual identity at the core. But in these discussions it is important to feature the ways in which women have fought for and continue to fight for justice not simply for themselves but for all peoples.
Required Text
Anderson, Margaret L and Patricia Hill Collins eds. Race, Class and Gender: An Anthology.

Course Requirements and Assessment

Assessment
Date of Evaluation (if known)
Weighting
Total

100%
Assessment 1
Attendance and Class Participation. The critical form for engaging in active learning is by having an opportunity to discuss issues with colleagues. This class is designed to offer that possibility. Classes will often have group discussions on specific areas so that one’s thinking and the application of one’s knowledge can be part of this learning experience. You will be graded on group participation and some reflections during class time.

Knowing what the Messages of Femininity and Masculinity Indicate. Too often place people in categories based on their gender. Rarely do we question the validity of such assertions or what they do to marginalize or strengthen power positions. But looking only at femininity and masculinity is not enough – you must also examine how race, and sexual orientation impact the positioning of peoples. Why do such allocations base their positioning on “nature” as opposed to the function of power? In this paper look at how a binary creates power divisions and who benefits and why? Look at a specific feature of this binary i.e. advertising, serving, as an example of how such binaries keep ideas about white heterosexual men and women intact. This paper is double spaced, and three pages in length. You must demonstrate you are using both texts as well as accessing outside scholarly sources. 25%

What issue is most Pressing? What issue do you see as most urgent in the context of Canada that leads to the experience of oppression of women? Choose a topic you see as urgent but that is not generally addressed or attended to in our culture. Ensure you have asked Dr. Ramirez’s permission to do this topic. You must do extensive research – a minimum of five scholarly sources. This paper’s length should be five double spaced pages. 30%

Group Presentation and Paper. What is it that you didn’t recognize before as being exploitative but do now? Choose a topic that as group you feel our university, or our communities need to be aware of and change. Consider elements about femininity and masculinity, heterosexuality. You will have ten minutes to do a presentation and it must be inventive. Demonstrate that you have worked together as a collective allowing each member to participate. You must engage the class as a whole as well. You must not exceed 10 minutes and must limit the technology use. The presentation portion is worth 10%. Included in this project is a paper, which is worth 25% to be submitted one week after the presentation and that includes a clear argument and substantial research. It should be 5 double spaced pages.

Course Goals and Outcomes
1. To learn why