History 422
MTWR, 4:00-7:45 p.m.
Summer Session I, 2009
Robinson 103
Dr. J.M. Lindman
Ofc Hrs: T, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Phone: 256-4500, ext. 3995
Email: lindman@rowan.edu
THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN WOMEN
Course Description:
This is an upper division survey of the history of women in the United States from early contact
to the present time. The course will cover major topics in American women's history including
European colonization, slavery, reform activism, sexuality, suffrage, politics, civil rights, and
feminism. We will examine the interactions of race, class, and gender in the study of the history
of American women.
Required Books:
Ellen Carol DuBois and Lynn Dumeril, Through Women’s Eyes: An American History with
Documents (Bedford/St. Martins, 2005).
Nancy Woloch, Early American Women: A Documentary History, 1660-1900 (Wadsworth Inc.,
2002).
Course Requirements:
1. Discussion Participation. A large portion of this course is class discussion and you will be
graded on in-class activities, both oral and written. All students are expected to come to
class having completed the reading and ready to take part in thoughtful and substantive
discussions of the material. This is worth 20% of the final grade.
2. Two Papers. Detailed instructions will be forthcoming. This is worth 20% of the final grade.
3. Film Responses. These will be handed out and done in class after each movie is shown. This
is worth 15% of the final grade. No films will be re-shown.
4. Midterm Exam. This is an in-class, closed book essay exam that is worth 20% of the final
grade.
5. Final Exam. This is an in-class, closed book essay exam that is worth 25% of the final grade.
Attendance
Class attendance is required and will be factored in when determining the final grade. Frequent,
unexplained absences will result in a reduction in your final grade. If you miss class, you are
responsible for the materials discussed that day. All excused absences must be substantiated
with documentation. Chronic lateness for no legitimate reason will also affect your final grade.
Plagiarism
All direct quotations, factual information, and material that are not common knowledge should be
cited correctly, i.e., all citations should be listed as footnotes or endnotes and not as
parenthetical references. Please follow the Chicago Manual of Style guidelines for proper citation.
Students who plagiarize any part of their written work will receive an “F” for the
course and their academic misconduct will be reported to the Dean of the College of
Liberal Arts and Sciences and to the Provost of the university.
Disability
The following statement is from the Faculty/Staff Handbook: “Your academic success is
important. If you have a documented disability that may have an impact on your work in this
class, please contact me. Students must provide documentation of their disability to the
Academic Success Center in order to receive official University services and accommodations.
The Academic Success Center can be reached at 856-256-4234. The Center is located on the 3rd
floor of Savitz Hall. The staff is available to answer questions regarding accommodations or
assist you in your pursuit of accommodations. We look forward to working with you to meet
your learning goals.”
Course Schedule, Assignments, and Deadlines:
5/18:
Introduction: What is Women's History?
Native Women in a New World
Read Introduction, DuBois and Dumeril
5/19:
Gender and Race in Early America
Read DuBois and Dumeril, ch. 1, Woloch, ch. 1, 2, 3, 5
DISCUSSION
5/20:
Gender and the American Revolution
Read DuBois and Dumeril, ch. 2, Woloch, ch. 4, 6, 7
DISCUSSION
FILM: Mary Silliman's War
5/21:
Women, Work, and Social Activism
Read DuBois and Dumeril, ch. 3, Woloch, ch. 8, 9, 10, 11
DISCUSSION
FILM: One Woman, One Vote, Part 1
FIRST PAPER DUE
5/25:
HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
5/26:
Civil War and Racial Struggle
Read DuBois and Dumeril, ch. 4 and 5, Woloch, ch. 12
DISCUSSION
FILM: Ida B. Wells, A Passion for Justice
5/27:
Women, Work, and Suffrage
Read DuBois and Dumeril, ch. 6, Woloch, ch. 13, 14
DISCUSSION
MIDTERM EXAM
5/28:
The Emergence of Modern Feminism
Read DuBois and Dumeril, ch. 7; Woloch, ch. 15 and 16
DISCUSSION
FILM: One Woman, One Vote, Part 2
6/1:
Flappers, Forgotten Women, and World War
Read DuBois and Dumeril, ch. 8
DISCUSSION
6/2:
Civil Rights and Women's Liberation
Read DuBois and Dumeril, ch. 9 and 10
DISCUSSION
SECOND PAPER DUE
6/3:
Study Day
6/4:
FINAL EXAM