Spr09

HIST 3700:
Women in European Civilization

Dr. Nancy Turner Office Hours: MTWTh 12-1; 2-3PM

Office: 332 Warner Hall Th 1-3PM
Office phone: 342-1789 F 12-1PM
E-mail: turnern@uwplatt.edu and by appt.

The purpose of historical perspective courses is to challenge students to understand and assess
the human past in order to form a clearer perception of the present and to deal more effectively
with current public issues. This course will enable students to: demonstrate knowledge of the
past; explore the multitude of circumstances and events that have helped to shape historical
judgments, actions, and visions; and interpret the sources of historical change in a variety of
contexts. The purpose of gender studies is to help students come to a better understanding of
themselves as responsible individuals operating within gendered cultural contexts, paying special
attention to perspectives involving women. This course will enable students to engage in
personal reflection and explore the implications of: the cultural constructs that create and
perpetuate gender-based stereotypes and unequal power relationships; the contributions of
diverse populations of women in transforming knowledge; and the influence that students’ own
gender and experiences have on their attitudes toward others.

TEXTS: There are four books which will be used for the course, all of which can be acquired at
the Textbook Center in Doudna Hall. The books are:

Bridenthal, Koonz, Stuard, Becoming Visible, 3rd ed.

Mary R. Lefkowitz and Maureen B. Fant, eds. Women’s Life in Greece and Rome: A
Source Book in Translation, 2nd ed. (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press,
1992).
Judith M. Bennett and Elizabeth A. Clark, eds. Sisters and Workers in the Middle Ages
(Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1989).
Christine de Pisan, The Treasure of the City of Ladies.

EXAMS: There will be two exams, one which will take place at approximately the middle of
the term, and one that will take place during finals week. Both will be essay exams that will
cover the material presented in lecture, discussion, and the textbooks.

PAPERS: Three papers are required. Each both will take the form of a 3-5 page, typed and
double-spaced paper. The first paper will require you to discuss issues presented in our readings
on ancient Greek and Roman women. The second paper will require you to analyze issues raised
in Christine de Pisan’s Treasure of the City of Ladies or issues raised in a handout containing the
writings of eighteenth- and nineteenth-century thinkers on women. You will be given the specific
topics 2-3 weeks before each paper is due. For the third paper you will choose an article from a
journal dealing with women’s history and write a 3-4 page summary and analysis of the article.
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GRADING: First Paper= 100pts

Second Paper= 100pts
Article Report= 100pts
First Exam= 100pts
Final Exam= 100pts
Total 500pts

Schedule of Assignments:

January 21 Introduction
23 Handout--“What is Women’s History?” History Today (June 1985)

26 Becoming Visible, chap. 2

28 Women's Life in Greece and Rome, pp. 23-54
30 Women's Life in Greece and Rome, pp. 55-82

February 2 Becoming Visible, chap. 3

4 Women's Life in Greece and Rome, pp. 94-128
6 Women's Life in Greece and Rome, pp. 163-189

9 Women's Life in Greece and Rome, pp. 142-158; 208-224

11 Women's Life in Greece and Rome, pp. 225-272
13 Women's Life in Greece and Rome, pp. 273-291;307-334

16 Becoming Visible, chap. 4

18 Becoming Visible, chap. 5
20 F I R S T P A P E R D U E

23 Sisters and Workers in the Middle Ages, pp. 11-38

25 Sisters and Workers in the Middle Ages, pp. 100-127
27

March 2 Christine de Pisan

4 Handout—Christine de Pisan
6 Treasure of the City of Ladies, pp. 109-141

9 Treasure of the City of Ladies, pp. 145-180

11 " "
13 M I D T E R M E X A M

March 16-20 Spring Break

23 Becoming Visible, chap. 6

25 Handout—Women during the Renaissance
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27 Becoming Visible, chap. 7

30 Becoming Visible, chap. 8

April 1 Handout—Embryology
3 Becoming Visible, chap. 9

6 Handout—Mary Astell
8 Handout—“Women’s Nature” in the 18th and 19th centuries
10 NO CLASSES

13 NO CLASSES
15 Handout—“Women’s Nature” (cont’d)
17 Becoming Visible, chap. 10

20 Article Citation Due; Becoming Visible, chap. 11

22 Becoming Visible, chap. 12
24 Becoming Visible, chap. 13

27 Becoming Visible, chap. 16

29 Becoming Visible, chap. 17
May 1 SECOND PAPER DUE

4 Becoming Visible, chap. 18

6 Becoming Visible, chap. 20
8 ARTICLE REPORT DUE

Final Exam—Friday, May 15 10am-12pm