How do the stories we tell about the past influence what we think possible in the present? This course addresses this question, and offers a broad introduction to women’s history, by examining classic works in Western feminism in light of contemporary historical scholarship. From Christine de Pizan in the 14th century to Virginia Woolf in the 20th, women writers have used history to question the seemingly unchangeable differences between the sexes. Studying the way these thinkers have wrestled with the past teaches important lessons about the practice of history. This course aims not only to expand your knowledge of the history of women and feminism, but also to help you develop the analytical skills needed to understand historical arguments more generally.

The class will combine lecture and discussion formats. Readings will emphasize primary sources, including materials that range from stories to letters to legal briefs. There will be weekly exercises designed to help you analyze these materials, develop skill in historical thinking, and foster class discussion. There will also be a mid-term and a final.

The course website http://www.indiana.edu/~wfh/ contains complete and up-to-date details about the content and requirements of the course; information found there supercedes that on printed versions of the course schedule. If you wish to keep them for reference, you can find printer friendly versions of the core documents for the syllabus at the following links:

Description http://www.indiana.edu/~wfh/description.html

Schedule http://www.indiana.edu/~wfh/printablefiles/wfhprintedsched.html

Requirements http://www.indiana.edu/~wfh/printablefiles/wfhprintedreq.html

Assignments http://www.indiana.edu/~wfh/printablefiles/wfhprintedassign.html