HIST 306
History of Women (US) (WI)
Catalog Entry
HIST 306
History of Women (US) (WI)
Three hours lecture: (3)
Prerequisite: Three hours of History at the 100 level.
Study of the roles and changing status of men and women. The region or time period
of the course can vary from semester to semester. This course may be used to meet
requirements for the minor in Women’s and Gender Studies.
Note(s): Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. May be taken for credit more than once when topics differ.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
(Course content depends on instructor. Following is an example of one possibility.)
I. Overview of Women's History
A. Development of the Field
B. What Difference Does It Make?
II. Women in Preindustrial America
A. Family Patterns
B. Influence of Religion
C. Economic Roles and Structures
D. Impact of the American Revolution
III. 19th Century
A. Impact of Industrial Revolution; New Class Divisions; New Work
B. Lives of Immigrant Women
C. Differing Lives in Differing Geographical Areas
D. Emphasis on South--Black/White
IV. Rise of Women's Organized Activities and Feminist Thought
V. Social Movements
A. Unions for Industrial Workers
B. Clubs for Middle Class Reform Movements
C. Education for Women
D. Break in the Suffrage Movement and Its Healing
E. Women in the Arts
VI. 20th Century
A. Flapper Generation and the Vote Gained
B. Reorientation by Great Depression
C. Changing Roles from World War II
VII. Interacting Issues for Modern Women and Men
A. Biology
B. Politics
C. Economics
D. Ideology
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
An informal approach including continuing class discussion in which students become
familiar with the historical conditions of typical women's lives.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
1. Students will practice thinking critically and analytically about historical issues,
acquire a broader knowledge and deeper understanding of pertinent historical events
and processes, and cultivate a familiarity with the concepts of historical argument
and interpretation.
2. Students will develop disciplinary research skills by designing strategies to locate
and analyze primary and secondary source evidence, processing and organizing the resultant
data, and composing proper citation and bibliographical entries.
3. Students will apply their critical thinking, research, and compositional skills
to the creation and presentation of thesis driven essays that discuss, for example,
historical social, economic, political, and/or cultural developments and that address
issues such as the causes and consequences of historical change and continuity.
4. Students will be able to discuss the role of women and the influences on women
of the culture, society, and political economic world in which they lived.
Assessment Measures
Knowledge and understanding of the material covered in this course will be measured
using an array of assessment tools that may include, among other things, class attendance
and participation, written examinations, formal writing assignments of various types,
and informal writing assignments. All exercises are designed to expand the student's
ability to evaluate historical events and to develop his or her ability to compose
persuasive arguments.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
Date Action Reviewed by
October 2010 Reviewed and Approved by Sharon A. Roger Hepburn, Chair
04/2011
March 01, 2021