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Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Decolonization

The Department of Political Science is strongly committed to the core values expressed in Western's Strategic Plan; particularly Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Decolonization.

As part of this campus-wide initiative, Western has introduced the Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to help generate a campus community that supports and implements the four broad EDI commitments outlined in Towards Western at 150.

As a department, we also strive to create a welcoming environment where everyone feels safe and that they belong.

We acknowledge that Western University is located on the traditional lands of the Anishinaabek (Ah-nish-in-a-bek), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-no-show-nee), Lūnaapéewak (Len-ahpay- wuk) and Chonnonton (Chun-ongk-ton) Nations, on lands connected with the London Township and Sombra Treaties of 1796 and the Dish with One Spoon Covenant Wampum. With this, we respect the longstanding relationships that Indigenous Nations have to this land, as they are the original caretakers. We acknowledge historical and ongoing injustices that Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) endure in Canada, and we accept responsibility as a public institution to contribute toward revealing and correcting miseducation, as well as renewing respectful relationships with Indigenous communities through our teaching, research, and community service.

Office of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion is involved in campus-wide learning opportunities for all students and employees at Western.

Online Learning

Expand your EDI-related competencies and also lend your support to the University’s equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) efforts by engaging with the online learning opportunities.

Educational Tools & Resources

A collection of helpful educational tools and resources including websites, glossaries, reports, PDF's and/or articles.

Indigenous Learning Opportunities

Since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC 2015), Canadian universities have increased their Indigenous learning opportunities including curriculum supports and professional training efforts to educate university members about Indigenous Peoples.

Explore our department's unique course offerings and the research conducted by our award-winning faculty.

Women, Sex and Politics (3207F/G)

This course explores the politics of gender, race, class, and sexuality in global contexts by introducing students to the political history of women's movements, feminist political debates, political theories of gender inequality, and critical analyses of gender representations in political and social media.

Social Diversity, Gender and the Law (4203F/G)

This course assesses the Canadian legal system's potential to address inequalities based on group differences such as race, ethnicity, religion, Aboriginality, socioeconomic class and sexual identity. Particular attention is paid to the internal tensions that often arise where women's equality rights and the rights claims of minority social groups conflict.

Women and Political Leadership (4216F/G)

This course presents a deep treatment of the subject of women’s political leadership. The main case under study is Canada. However, reference to women’s leadership in other states helps frame the Canadian experience. A variety of methodological approaches will be engaged, including institutional, behavioural and comparative analysis.