HST 353: History of Women in European Societies
http://academic.udayton.edu/MarybethCarlson/353syl.htm
Dr. Carlson - HM 447 - X93380 Office Hours: MF 12-1, W 2-3 and by appointment Email: Marybeth.Carlson@notes.udayton.edu
What to know before you take a 300-level course in European history

This is not an introductory course in history or in women's studies.  Please take a minute to consider what this means:

  • As you can see in the assignments below, you will be expected to handle a reading load in this class of approximately 75-100 pages per week.  Although I have tried to avoid using any texts which use professional "jargon" in these assignments, occasionally some readings will include advanced vocabulary, possibly including foreign words or phrases. (This is, after all, a European history course.)  A dictionary will help you in understanding the definitions of such vocabulary.  If you do not own one, there is a link to an online version of the American Heritage Dictionary from Roesch Library's Databases webpage. 
  • You will be expected to write at a college level.   I look forward to working with you in developing your ability to structure a logical argument based on a thesis.  At the same time, you should be able to structure a sentence grammatically and use common words correctly, since usage errors detract from your argument and may even render it nonsensical.  There will be three essay assignments in this class (two book reviews and a final essay).  Those essays which do not meet the writing standards defined in the assignments will receive unsatisfactory grades. 
  • You will be expected to participate in class discussion.  Education is not the same thing as watching TV.  It is interactive.  If you prefer to "just watch," HST 353 is not the class for you. 
  • While first-year students may enroll in this course, usually they should take their other required courses at this time.  First year students should only take this course if they received an A in HST 103 and an A in ENG 114.  Second year students should only take this course if they received at least a B in HST 103 and at least a B in first year English and if they have a clear memory of the material in HST 103.   
Goals and Objectives -- This course examines major issues in the history of women in Europe from the preindustrial era to the present. Themes to be covered include the participation of women in the work force and in revolutionary and in reform movements, changes in the domestic sphere, widening educational opportunities, and women in imperialism.  Historians view gender roles as the outcome of particular historical processes, hence, students in this course will learn how historians untangle implications about those roles from historical records in order to understand the construction of gender over the past two centuries.
• This course is part of the Women's Studies Program. For information on other women's studies courses and on becoming a Women's Studies major or minor, see: http://academic.udayton.edu/womensstudies/
• This course is also part of the Women and Culture Cluster. Students participating in it will 1) Explain and assess the importance of including women’s experiences and perspectives in the formulation of social theories and public policies; 2) Describe and evaluate women’s contributions, through various roles and activities, to the cultural heritage of humanity; 3) Draw relations among disciplines to illuminate the complexities of gender as it relates to what it means to be human, and its impact on actual women’s lives; 4) Analyze and compare how women have been viewed by men, how women view themselves, and how women view the world; 5) Explain the implications of women’s spiritual experiences and practices for dominant religious understandings of the divine; and 6) Explain and apply aspects of feminist theory to multiple fields of study. 
Evaluation -- Analytical Book Reviews (40%), Midterm (15%), Final (25%), and Participation in Class Discussion (20%). 
Class participation offers students an opportunity to develop the ability to "think on one's feet," an important skill for career success.  Since one of my goals for HST 353 is to help you develop your skills in this area, I work very hard to create an atmosphere in which students will feel comfortable in discussion. To make class discussion most interesting and useful, students must come to class prepared to discuss the readings assigned for particular days.  Futhermore, the concept of "excused absences" has been abolished from this class.
  • You may have three "unexplained absences" this term.  These absences may not take place on days of scheduled exams.  You must make up EVERY absence from the class with additional participation. 

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  • You may have three additional "explained absences" this term.  These absences are granted only for UD athletic travel, the funeral of a family member, hospitalization of a family member, or personal illness serious enough to require the attention of a medical professional.  DO NOT E-MAIL ME REGARDING ANY ABSENCE.  I AM A HISTORIAN, AND AS SUCH REQUIRE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF THE FACTS.  You must see me during office hours (not before or after class!) and provide me with a copy of your athletic department letter, a printed obituary, or other official documentation.  You must make up EVERY absence from the class with additional participation. 
  • Note that students who do not take advantage of the opportunity to develop their discussion skills will not be able to earn an A in HST 353. 

UPDATED Fall 2008 Schedule (E-Reserve password: beauvoir)
 
Aug 20-Sep 8 -- Unit One: "An Era of New Ideas about Women (1700-1820)" -- Concepts to learn in this unit:
  • How do historians use gender as a means of understanding the past? 
  • How did ideas about women's role in marriage and the family change during the 18th century? 
  • How did ideas about the education of women change during the 18th century? 
  • How did the development of the concept of "citizenship" change women's public roles? 
Reading Assignments:
  • Sep 3: (available in UD bookstore) Gelbart: The King's Midwife 
  • Sep 5: (E-Reserve) A Political Revolution for Women? THIS READING IS OPTIONAL. 
Sep 8-17 -- Unit Two: "Feminist Struggles during an Era of Industrialization (1820-1880)" -- Concepts to learn in this unit:
  • How was women's work redefined during the industrialization? 
  • How did women's participation in reform movements challenge the ideology of separate spheres? 
  • How did women organize to begin achieving equality before the law in 19th century liberal democracies? 
Reading Assignments:
  • Sep 15: Analytical Review of Mary Barton (available in UD bookstore) due. See assignment. 
  • Sep 17: (E-Reserve) Socialism, Feminism, and the Socialist Women's Movement 
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    Sep 29-Oct 15 -- Unit Three: "The New Woman Challenges Tradition (1880-1914)" -- Concepts to learn in this unit:
    • How did economic growth at the end of the 19th century create new opportunities for women? 
    • How did women's roles in the European imperialist project affect gender norms? 
    • How did women organize to win citizenship rights in modern nation-states? 
    Reading Assignments:
    • Oct 8: (E-Reserve) Gender, Race and Empire 
    • Oct 8: (E-Reserve) Women Travelers in the Belle Epoque 
    Midterm Exam Assignment will be distributed October 8 and will be due October 15
    Oct 17-Nov 7 -- Unit Four: "Women in an Era of War and Revolution (1914-45)" -- Concepts to learn in this unit:
    • How did authoritarian regimes use gender norms in their efforts to control their citizens' lives? 
    • How did women's participation in the violence of 20th century war and revolution challenge gender norms? 
    • How did women resist authoritarian control? 
    Reading Assignments:
    • Oct 22: (available in UD bookstore) Smith: Not So Quiet 
    • Oct 24: no class
    • Oct 29: (E-Reserve) Women in the Bolshevik Revolution 
    • Nov 5: (E-Reserve) Women in the Holocaust 
    Nov 10-21 -- Unit Five: "Postwar Dilemmas for Women (1945-70)" -- Concepts to learn in this unit:
    • How did postwar economic growth contribute to triggering the "Second Wave" Women's Liberation Movement?  How did state welfare policies shape class and gender relations in Europe? 
    • Why is Simone de Beauvoir considered an important feminist thinker? 
    • How did gender norms and Communist government combine to define women's experiences in Eastern and Central Europe?  How did the collapse of Communist systems change women's experience in those regions? 
    Reading Assignments
    • Nov 12: (E-Reserve) Women and State Welfare in Western Europe 
    • Nov 14: (online) Simone de Beauvoir, The Second Sex, "Introduction" 
    • Nov 21: (E-Reserve) Women's Rights in Eastern and Central Europe since 1945 
    Nov 24-Dec 10  -- Unit Six: "A New Era of Feminist Renewal (1970-present) -- Concepts to learn in this unit:
    • Identify the factors defining gender norms in Europe today. 
    • How are gender norms enforced in a multicultural society? 
    Reading Assignments:
    • Dec 1: Analytical Review of I Don't Know How She Does It: The Life of Kate Reddy, Working Mother (available in UD bookstore) due. See assignment. 
    • Dec 8: no class
    • DATE TO BE ANNOUNCED: (E-Reserve) European Feminism and Politics in the Late 20th Century  
    FINAL EXAM -- for schedule, see https://registrar.udayton.edu/otherkeylinks_examinationschedule2008fall.asp

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