American studies

Women in America

Module code: T7077
Level 5
15 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Lecture, Seminar
Assessment modes: Coursework

In this module, we consider the changing experiences of women in North America. You will explore and analyse:

• how sex and gender have affected political, economic, intellectual and social developments in the United States
• debates about women’s work, the law, the American family and citizenship
• the different ways that women have challenged (or supported) structures that oppressed women.

Women’s experiences were diverse, structured by race, class and region, sexuality and politics. To analyse them, we focus on five themes: wives, citizens, bodies, minds and political activists.

Teaching covers the broad sweep of women’s history and gender relations in America from the colonial period to the 20th century. We incorporate guided analysis of documents produced by, or about, women in America.

Module learning outcomes

• Understand themes and scholarly approaches in the history of women in North America.
• Effectively communicate detailed analyses of women’s history in North America.
• Critically evaluate approaches in women’s history.
• Deploy appropriate techniques for the analysis of historical sources as they relate to women in North America.