Oral Report

Students will research and present an oral report addressing a major theme in women’s history during the last two weeks of class. The instructor must approve all topics by the end of week 5, preferably by e-mail. The reports, of approximately 15 minutes, should contain both substantial information and interpretation. Students also must submit a complete bibliography of sources cited on the day of their reports. The bibliography should contain at least one primary source as well as a range of secondary sources. Textbooks may be employed, but additional research is also necessary.

Possible broad themes to pursue include European women and/or femininity and:

• Work
• Education
• Reproduction
• Family or household organization
• Political movements and revolutions
• War
• Welfare
• Legal rights
• Cultural representations
• Religion
• Sexuality
• Crime
• Medicine

These or other themes then must be narrowed to a specific topic. Reports might address one or two major figures, events, geographical areas, etc. over a short period of time. For example, prostitution in London in the late Victorian era, women’s resistance in France during World War II, or Alexandra Kollontai’s activism in the Lenin years are all suitable subjects which might be used to reflect on or amplify the major themes of the course.