HISTORY
221: WOMEN AND GENDER
IN THE UNITED STATES FALL 2006
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327 Maybank/210B Randolph Telephone: 953-8025 / 953-5527 Hours: 8:00-9:15 a.m. T-R and by appointment https://www.cofc.edu/~mccandla/amym.htm mccandlessa@cofc.edu |
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Purpose of the Course
Gender is an important component of historical analysis. A separate
examination of the female experience not only enables us to preserve the
distinct contributions of women to the American heritage, but it also forces
us to reexamine the ways in which gender intersects with race, class, ethnicity,
and region in explaining political, economic, and social developments in
the United States.
Required Readings
Woloch, Women and the American Experience: A Concise History
(2nd
ed.)
Norton, Major Problems in American Women's History (3rd
ed.)
Akers, Abigail Adams (3rd
ed.)
Painter, Sojourner Truth: A Life, A Symbol
Chalberg, Emma Goldman: American Individualist
American
Life Histories
Reading assignments should be completed on the date indicated for discussion
in the syllabus.
Analytical Paper
Every student
will be required to write a 10 to 15 page paper analyzing a biography of a woman in the United States. First focus on the life of the individual portrayed. How does the author describe the gender identities, roles, and relations of the subject and her family and friends? How does this individual compare to other women you have studied in the course? Then, discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the biography as a historical source on women and gender. You should consider such things as the bias (perspective) of the author, the types of sources consulted (and not consulted), and the impression of the individual that emerges from the narrative. Do certain topics seem to be ignored or overemphasized? How successfully does the author convey the personality whose life is delineated in the biography?
Tests, Quizzes and Examinations
There will be a midterm examination and a comprehensive final.
Questions will be both short answer (multiple-choice, fill-in, true-false)
and essay. In addition, there will be quizzes and group
worksheets on daily readings. Since I drop the lowest grade, NO
MAKE-UPS will be given for quizzes. A medical excuse and/or note
from the Dean of Students will be required to make up examinations.
Class Participation and Discussion
Much of the historical material on women and gender is very provocative, and you
will want to discuss the individuals and ideas introduced in the readings.
You cannot do this if you are a) absent, b) asleep, or c) unprepared.
Both the quality and the quantity of your remarks will be considered when
computing class participation grades (i.e., you do not get "points" for
talking on a subject when you have not read the assignment). Attendance
will be taken daily, and seven points will be subtracted from your attendance
grade for each unexcused absence. If you must miss class for a college
function, please let me know BEFORE the event. Please feel free to ask
questions in class or by e-mail or to come by my office any time.
This is my specialty -- I love talking about it!
Grading
Final grades will be calculated by averaging the scores on the
paper, midterm examination, quizzes and class participation, and final examination. The following grading
scale will be used: 92-100 = A; 90-91.9 = A-; 87-89.9 = B+; 82-86.9 = B; 80-81.9 = B-; 77-79.9 = C+; 72-76.9 = C; 70-71.9 = C-; 67-69.9 = D+; 62-66.9 = D; 60-61.9 = D-; 0- 59.9 = F.
ASSIGNMENTS
Aug 22 Course Introduction; Gender as a Historical
Construct
Norton & Alexander: 1 - 19
Aug 24 Native American Women
Norton & Alexander:
20 - 48
Aug 29 The British Heritage
Woloch: 1 - 32
Aug 31 "Separate and Unequal": Race, Gender,
and the Law
Woloch: 36-48
Sep 5 Film: A Midwife's
Tale
Norton & Alexander: 54 - 68
Sep 7 Film: A Midwife's Tale
Sep 12 From Indigo to Innocence: Women in South Carolina Agriculture
Sep 14
Discuss: Abigail Adams
Akers: ix - 104
Sep 19
Discuss: Abigail Adams
Akers: 105 - 230
Sep 21 The American Revolution and New Republic
Woloch: 48 - 64
Norton & Alexander: 69 - 100
Sep 26 Women's Nature and Sphere
Woloch: 71 - 89
Norton & Alexander: 101 - 131
Sep 28 MIDTERM EXAMINATION
Oct 3 Enslaved and Slaveholding Women
Norton & Alexander: 132 - 159
LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW WITH "W"
Oct 5 Women and Reform; Film: Rebel
Hearts
Text: Woloch 109-137
Oct 10 Discuss: Sojourner
Truth: A Life, A Symbol
Painter: 3 - 148
Oct 12 Discuss: Sojourner
Truth: A Life, A Symbol
Painter: 151 - 343
Oct 17
The Civil War and After; Film: Women
in American Life
Woloch: 142 - 152
Norton & Alexander: 160 - 185
Oct 19
Westward Expansion; Film: The
West, Pt. 2
Woloch 94 - 99, 152 - 155
Norton & Alexander: 187 - 211
Oct 24 Immigrants, Cities and Working "Girls"
Woloch: 155 - 173
Oct 26
The New Woman
Woloch: 180 - 211
Oct 31 College Women and "Race Suicide"
Norton & Alexander: 285 - 327
Nov 2 Women's Suffrage; Film: One
Woman, One Vote
Woloch: 219 - 251
Nov 7 FALL BREAK -- NO CLASS
Nov 9
Discuss: Emma Goldman
Chalberg: vii - 99
Nov 14
Discuss: Emma Goldman
Chalberg: 100 - 188
Nov 16 Women and the Depression
Norton & Alexander: 329 - 356
Nov 21 Women in World War II
Woloch: 321 - 335
Norton & Alexander: 358 - 392
Nov 23 THANKSGIVING
BREAK
Nov 28 Women and Social Protest
Woloch: 342 - 378
Norton & Alexander: 427 - 474
Nov 30 Women in Contemporary America
Woloch: 386 - 418
Dec FINAL EXAMINATION, 8-11
AM