Section 01: MW 8:00-9:15
Section 60: Thurs. 7:00-9:40| Section 01: MW 8:00-9:15 |
| W239 |
| Section 60: Thurs. 7:00-9:40 |
| W111 |
| Mon. and Weds. 11:00-12:00 | Tues. and Thurs. 2:30-3:15 | |
| Thurs. eve. 6:15-6:45 | and by appointment |
Welcome to Modern European Women’s History. This introductory survey examines women’s changing historical roles in Europe from the eighteenth century to the present. Women have been engaged centrally in the major political events of these three tumultuous centuries in Europe, including the French and Russian Revolutions, the unifications of Germany and Italy, the imposition of new world empires, the rise of fascism, the world wars, and the creation of the modern welfare state.
Women helped make possible the agricultural, industrial, and technological revolutions which have reshaped economic life around the globe, and have contributed immeasurably to the intellectual and cultural heritage of the West. Nonetheless, the discipline of history frequently has not only failed to acknowledge women’s contributions in traditional narratives of the development of Europe: in seeking to formulate an accurate accounting of the past, historians often have overlooked the significance of the daily lives of ordinary people, particularly of women. Our study of European women’s history therefore accords much-deserved attention to important themes such as the changing organizations of families, shifting sexual divisions of labor, and new patterns of household consumption, all of which reveal a great deal about the origins of contemporary social practices. The key purposes of this course are to uncover the history of women’s participation in the evolution of modern Europe, to explore current scholarly and theoretical interpretations in the field of women’s history, and, then, to re-examine the traditional assumptions, categories, and periodizations of European history in light of women’s historical experiences.
Supplemental texts:
Bridenthal, et al, Becoming Visible; Fout, Forbidden History and Smith, Changing Lives available on Library reserve.
Course Format and Requirements:
This course consists of short lectures and more lengthy discussion sessions, group activities, and student presentations. Student contributions therefore are integral to achieving the goals of the class. Prior to each meeting, read the daily reading assignments and consider the directed reading questions provided. Regular attendance is essential because participation in class discussions will be graded. Students are encouraged to submit 1-page electronic essay responses to the reading questions at least once a week, as part of their participation grade. There may be one or more unannounced quizzes at the instructor’s discretion.
There will be midterm and final examinations as well as voluntary additional short written assignments and presentations. See the study sheet handouts and the daily reading questions for sample test items. In addition, all students will write 5-7 page analytical papers discussing the Hall novel and are encouraged to present their findings in class. Please refer to the handout on the writing/presentation assignment for details. Students also will present findings from a short research project orally at the end of the semester. See the forthcoming assignment handout for details.
Incomplete assignments are strongly discouraged and extensions are not automatic. Students with extenuating circumstances needing additional time to complete work should make arrangements with the instructor in advance of class deadlines. Unless other arrangements are made, late papers may be marked down a full grade for each day overdue. Rewritten assignments must be submitted by the last class meeting to receive credit. Oral reports must be completed on the date assigned.
Grading:
| Midterm | 20% |
| Analytical Paper on Hall novel | 20% |
| Oral Report | 15% |
| Final Exam | 25% |
| Quizzes, Participation, Optional work | 20% |
| Final Grade | 100% |
| 88-89 = B+ | 78-79 = C+ | 68-69 = D+ | |
| 94-100 = A | 84-87 = B | 74-77 = C | 65-67 = D |
| 90-93 = A- | 80-83 = B- | 70-73 = C- | below 65 = F |
Section 01 Section 60