L A K E H E A D U N I V E R S I T Y

DEPARTMENT OF POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science 4550 FA

Women in Politics

Professor Rita Parvin Fall 2003

Office: TBA Thursday: 11:30-2:30 p.m.

Telephone: TBA CB 4014

E-Mail:

Office Hours

Monday: 1:00-1:30 p.m. or by appointment

OBJECTIVES and CONTENT

This is a seminar course which will primarily examine the position of women in the writings of some selected political thinkers. It will also explain the role of some contemporary women political leaders in public policy making and in revolutionary movements.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY

Class discussion, Seminars and Presentation

EVALUATION

Midterm Examination…………………………..25%

Final Examination……………………………....30%

Review Article (Written)………………………10%

Review Article (Oral)………………………….10%

Attendance, Participation……………………….10%

Presentation on Reading………………………...15%

Date for Final examination will be decided by the Registrar Office. Midterm examination will take place in the 6th week of classes. Written Review article is due on the last day of the class of this course.

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Political Science 4550 FA 2 R. Parvin

COURSE OUTLINE Fall 2003

TEXTBOOKS (Required, available in the Book Store)

Susan M. Okin, Women in Western Political Thought.

Francine D’Amico and Peter Beckman, Women in World Politics.

There are two textbooks for this course. In the first half of the class students will be ready to discuss the assigned reading from the book on Women in Western Political Thought. Every student must read the material and be therefore prepared to present the reading and participate in the discussion. One student in the class (not pre-selected) will be asked to present the assigned reading page by page (not just a summary) which will be followed by discussion. After explaining page by page the student will make a summary statement.

In the second half of the class a pre-selected student will present a brief critical summary of the assigned reading from the book on Women in World Politics. Each student will submit in writing a review of the same article (7-8 pages typed double spaced). The review needs the summary as well as critical comments on the article, if possible substantiated by materials from other sources. Every student must read the assigned article in order to participate in discussion.

OUTLINE of READINGS

DATE TOPICS READINGS

Week 1 INTRODUCTION: An Overview of the Course

Week 2 Plato and the Greek Tradition of Misogyny Okin: 15-28

Presentation: Women National Leaders D’Amico:15-31

Week 3 Philosopher Queens and Private Wives Okin: 28-51

Presentation: Violeta Barrios de Chamoro D’Amico:31-45

Week 4 Female Nature and Social Structure Okin: 51-73

Presentation: Indira Gandhi D’Amico: 45-58.

Week 5 Aristotle: Women’s Place Okin: 73-97.

Presentation: Margaret Thatcher D’Amico: 59-70

Week 6 Mid Term Test (On all readings: Essay Type): October 16, 2003

Week 7 Rousseau : The Natural Woman Okin: 99-139.

Presentation: Corazon Aquino D’Amico:71-84.

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Political Science 4550 FA 3 R. Parvin

COURSE OUTLINE Fall 2003

Week 8 Equality and Freedom for Men Okin: 140-166

Presentation: Jane Addams D’Amico:155-167.

Week 9 The Fate of Rousseau’s Heroines Okin: 167-196.

Presentation: International Women’s Movements D’Amico: 143-155

Week 10 J.S. Mill: Liberal Feminist Okin: 197-232

Presentation: Women and the Global GreenD’Amico: 169-182

Movement

Week 11 Women and Functionalism, Women and the Law Okin:234-273

Presentation: Women in Revolutionary Movements D’Amico: 183-198

Week 12 Conclusions Okin: 275-308

Presentation: Conclusion: An End and the Beginning D’Amico: 199-215

FINAL EXAMINATION: (to be on the topics covered after the Mid

Term.) Date will be decided by the Registrar's Office.