Professional Documents
Culture Documents
HIST 3700:
Women in European Civilization
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. As an upper-level history class, the purpose of this course is to help form individuals
who are able to analyze and evaluate historical narratives and who understand the complexity of
the factors and forces that cause communities and nations to arise, decline, and change. Students
in upper-level history courses also learn to do research, to assess arguments, and to interpret
economic, social, political, cultural, and technological change in a variety of contexts.
The purpose of gender studies courses is to help students come to a better understanding of
themselves as responsible individuals operating within a gendered cultural context, paying
special attention to perspectives involving women. A course that meets liberal arts requirements
in gender studies will enable students to engage in personal reflection and explore the
implications of: 1) the cultural constructs that create and perpetuate gender-based stereotypes and
unequal power relationships; 2) the contributions of diverse populations of women and persons
of varied sexual orientations in transforming knowledge; 3) the influence that students’ own
gender and experiences have on their attitudes toward others.
TEXTS: There are five books which will be used for the course, all of which can be acquired at
the Textbook Center in Doudna Hall. The books are:
Katherine L. French & Allyson M. Poska, Women & Gender in the Western Past Vol. 1
Katherine L. French & Allyson M. Poska, Women & Gender in the Western Past Vol. 2
Mary K. Lefkowitz & Maureen B. Fant, Women’s Life in Greece and Rome, 3rd Edition
Judith M. Bennett and Elizabeth A. Clark, eds. Sisters and Workers in the Middle Ages
Christine de Pizan, The Treasure of the City of Ladies, Penguin Books, Revised edition
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. A portion of many class
periods will be devoted to a discussion of the assigned readings or issues raised by the instructor.
Each student is expected to participate actively in the discussions and to ask and answer
questions. Obviously this requires each student to do the readings assigned for each class period
and to pay attention in class. Note: Any student who has a documented disability which
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interferes with his/her test-taking, reading, or note-taking skills should contact the professor as
soon as possible to discuss academic accommodations.
PAPERS: Three papers are required. Each will take the form of a 4-6 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 Pizan’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 an academic journal dealing with women’s history and write a 3-4 page summary and
analysis of the article.
ATTENDANCE POLICY: Attendance will not be officially taken, but attendance at all
scheduled class periods is necessary and expected. If you must miss a class, you are responsible
for finding out what material was covered and what assignments or handouts were distributed
during the missed class period.
Schedule of Assignments:
January 24 Introduction
26 Handout—“What is Women’s History?”
28 Women & Gender in the Western Past Vol. 1, chap. 1
7 Christine de Pizan
9 Handout—Christine de Pizan, City of Ladies
11 Treasure of the City of Ladies, pp. 109-141 (Revised ed., pp. 87-125)
21 Treasure of the City of Ladies, pp. 145-171 (Revised ed., pp. 127-157)
23 Treasure of the City of Ladies, pp. 171-180 (Revised ed., pp. 158-168)
25 MIDTERM EXAM
25 NO CLASSES
27 Women & Gender in the Western Past Vol. 2, chap. 11
29 Women & Gender in the Western Past Vol. 2, chap. 12