History 2357: Women in American History

Spring 2007

T TH 2:00-3:15 p.m., ABAH 245

Course Objectives:

1. To increase knowledge of outstanding women as well as women in general in different social classes, racial and ethnic groups and at different historical periods

2. To better understand the struggle for equality in different contexts-jobs, politics, family issues

3. To increase awareness of gender as a factor in shaping institutions, values, and social movements

4. To get a better sense of American women in relation to the rest of the world

This course can be used for Lib. Ed. Category 7, "Historical and Philosophical Foundations."

Assigned Books:

Laurel Thatcher Ulrich, A Midwife's Tale (1990)

Charlotte Perkins Gilman, The Yellow Wallpaper and Other Writings

Clara Bingham and Laura Leedy Ganeler, Class Action: The Story of Lois Jensen and the Landmark Case that Changed Sexual Harassment Law (2002)

Jan. 16 Introduction

History of Women's Studies

Origin of Attitudes on the Nature of Men and Women

Gender History

Jan. 18 Colonial Women

Jan. 23 Women in the American Revolution

Video: A Midwife's Tale, Part I (VC 4320)

Jan. 25 Video: A Midwife's Tale, Part II (VC 4320)

Jan. 30 The Victorian Family

White Women in the Old South

Feb. 1 Education

Pre-Civil War Working Class and Professional Women

Feb. 6 Women on the Frontier (White and Indian)

Feb. 8 African American Women in the Old South

Early 19^th Century Reform

Women and Labor Unions

Feb. 13 Early Feminism

The Civil War

Feb. 15 Exam on class sessions and A Midwife's Tale - 100 points

Feb. 20 Women in 19^th Century Literature and Art

Feb. 22 The First Generation to Graduate from College in Significant Numbers; Professional Jobs

Feb. 27 Working Class Jobs

Late 19^th Century Reform

Mar. 1 Late 19^th Century Feminism

Suffrage Abroad

Mar. 6 Progressive Era Reform and Suffrage

African-American Women in the 20^th Century

Mar. 8 Women in Politics to 1945

Greenwich Village and Other Radicals

Mar. 13 & 15 Have a great break!

Mar. 20 The "Flapper" and the Modern Family

The New Career Woman and Working Class Women in the 20^th Century

Mar. 22 Women in 20^th Century Literature, the Arts, and Film to 1945

Mar. 27 Exam on class sessions since first exam and The Yellow Wallpaper (Introduction , p. 1-96, 134-152) - 100 points

Mar. 29 Video: North Country (DVD 817) 1^st 75 minutes

Apr. 3 Video: North Country (last 50 minutes)

Era of the "Femine Mystique" 1945-1963

Apr. 5 Betty Friedan

Origins of the Women's Liberation Movement

Topic for "State of the Women's Movement" assignment due

Apr. 10 Impact on the Media of the Modern Women's Movement

Changing Lifestyles

Apr. 12 Women in Sports

Lesbians and the Women's Movement

Meet with your panel group for "State of the Women's Movement" assignment

Apr. 17 Abortion and Other Health Issues

Violence Against Women

A Men's Movement?

Apr. 19 The Job Market

Video: Willmar 8 (VC 2818)

Apr. 24 Panel Presentations

Apr. 26 Panel Presentations

May 1 Panel Presentations

May 3 Women in Politics Since 1945

The Equal Rights Amendment

Women of Color

Lesbians

Opposition to the Women's Movement

Assessment of the Women's Movement

"State or the Women's Movement" paper due -100 points

May 9 4:00-5:55 p.m. Final exam on class sessions since previous exam and Class Action. 100 points

Grades will be based on exam scores, with 300 points possible plus 50 points for the 3-page paper and panel presentation. To pass, you must earn 117 points. 175 points will qualify for a C-. Above that, grades will be curved. A make-up session will be held for those who miss an exam towards the end of the semester. No make-ups earlier.

Instructor: Judith Ann Trolander

Office: 257 A. B. Anderson Hall Phone: 726-8271

E-mail: jtroland@d.umn.edu

Office Hours: 11:00-1:45 on Tuesday and Thursday, and by appointment.

Individuals who have any disability either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform the instructor at the start of the quarter. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.

The website for this course is at: http://www.d.umn.edu/~jtroland

Also, check your email for course information and updates.