What is womanhood? Are men and women different? Is there a universal “female” experience? What is the importance of studying the female experience separately from general study of history or social sciences? How did women’s studies develop as an academic discipline?
This interdisciplinary course, which is open to men as well as women, will introduce basic concepts in the area of women’s studies, with particular focus on the history and experiences of women in the United States.
Using historical and contemporary scholarship, we will examine the above questions, as well as consider the following topics as they relate to women in the U.S.: gender roles; family, parenthood and reproductive rights; sexuality; employment; safety (including sexual and domestic violence); images of women in popular culture; class, race and religion in defining womanhood.
We will also discuss intersections between the women’s rights movement and other movements for social justice. Readings will include the writings of Friedan, Wolf, Faludi, Gilligan, Butler, hooks, and Anzaldua. Texts will also include film, television, music and oral histories.