It is a good idea to do some background research when developing your research question. In addition to your in-class readings, here are some places to find background information

Edited handbooks are also useful in supplementing readings and discussions, and finding annotated bibliographies and overviews pertinent to your research paper; many are published by Oxford University Press and others, on various elements of gender and politics, or social policy, and usually available online through Northwestern Libraries, including (but not limited to):