WMST 225 Women in American History: Colonial Era to 1880

This course examines three major cultures—Native, African, and European as they met and mixed in Colonial America, with particular attention to women’s creative choices in navigating an oppressive gender system. Focus will be on the applicability of the standard periodization of American History to the lives of American women, as they experienced the intersectionality of race, class, gender, and sexuality from Colonial Times to 1880 and as they responded with innovative strategies for living lives of meaning. Scope will encompass wealthy merchant and planter families, indentured and convict bondservants, factory workers, and immigrants, and will include women’s familial and community relationships.

Credits

3

Prerequisite

Eligible to enroll in ENGL 121

Hours Weekly

3

Course Objectives

1. 1. Analyze the responses of American women to an oppressive gender system; explore
   innovative, creative, and risk-taking strategies invented by women to enable them to
   navigate systems of race, class, gender, and sexuality, while pursuing meaningful lives for
   themselves, their families, and their communities.
2. 2. Analyze the applicability of the standard periodization of American History to the lives of
   American women; assess variations of the sexual division of labor as women among the
   Native, African, and European cultures creatively sought meaningful work and found
   innovative ways to adapt to new roles in wartime, on the Overland Trail, and during the
   Industrial Revolution.
3. 3. Analyze fictional portrayals, in print and film, of women and their families during this period,
   comparing them with what we know about actual women and their families.

Course Objectives

1. 1. Analyze the responses of American women to an oppressive gender system; explore
   innovative, creative, and risk-taking strategies invented by women to enable them to
   navigate systems of race, class, gender, and sexuality, while pursuing meaningful lives for
   themselves, their families, and their communities.
2. 2. Analyze the applicability of the standard periodization of American History to the lives of
   American women; assess variations of the sexual division of labor as women among the
   Native, African, and European cultures creatively sought meaningful work and found
   innovative ways to adapt to new roles in wartime, on the Overland Trail, and during the
   Industrial Revolution.
3. 3. Analyze fictional portrayals, in print and film, of women and their families during this period,
   comparing them with what we know about actual women and their families.