Instructor: Prof. J. Williams Office: LA 437 Phone: 572-5135
Email: williamsj@nku.edu
Office Hours: Tues 12:30 - 2:00 & 4:00 - 5:30 Wed 1:00 - 3:00 Thur 8:30 - 9:25
and by appointment

This chronological survey of U.S. womens history since 1900 attempts to balance the story of outstanding women with that of ordinary women of all cultures, races, and classes. Among outcomes I hope will be achieved are an appreciation for the diversity of the American female experience over time and a familiarity with how women=s roles and functions, their self-concepts and prevalent ideologies have evolved. Moreover, you should have gained a deeper understanding of the massive contribution of women to the economic, social, intellectual and political development of modern American society and a helpful perspective on the current debate over concepts of womanhood and Afamily values.@

It is assumed that students taking this course already have a background knowledge of U.S. history. That is why the prerequisite for this course is HIS 103 (or its equivalent). Only in exceptional circumstances will the prerequisite be waived (see me about this).

The format for the course is a combination of lecture and discussion. In the absence of one general textbook, my lectures will provide the basic historical information to give you the big picture, while required readings will provide you with focused insights into specific themes in women=s history. These readings include novels, an autobiography, a biography, and a monograph, in addition to short articles to be placed on reserve in the NKU Library. There will always be a writing exercise (of varying lengths and grade values) or a short quiz associated with required reading assignments. The readings are designed to engender discussion in class, and the regularity and quality of your contributions to those class discussions will be the basis for part of your final grade. Failure to attend class regularly will detract from your discussion grade, and my policy is to administer make-up quizzes only at one set time at the end of the course. Please note also that tardy writing exercises can earn no more than a C. There will also be a research project due near the end of the semester which will require you to explore a focused aspect of your family history in light of the themes of the course. The precise scope and methodology for this project will be arrived at through individual consultation between me and you. Presentation of these projects will occur in the time set aside for a final examination. As to examinations, there will be two tests, one in the eighth week and one in the fifteenth week of the class, both of which will be essay type.

Your final grade will be computed as follows:

Writing exercises/quizzes 40%

Discussion 10%

Research project 20%

First exam 15%

Second exam 15%

If the University cancels classes due to bad weather, assume that whatever was scheduled for the canceled class will be covered the next time the class meets and that the reading and assignment schedule remains unchanged. Modification of this syllabus may occur due to unanticipated circumstances, in which case students will receive maximum prior notification.

Please feel free to see me during office hours or at some other mutually convenient time if you are having trouble with the course or if you would just like to talk. Getting in touch with me should prove no problem. Call me at my office number or email me (see top of this syllabus for phone number and email address). I check my email at least once a day, and you can leave a message on voice mail if I don=t answer the office phone.

Here are the required books:

Joan Jacobs Brumberg: The Body Project: An Intimate History of American Girls

Edith Summers Kelley: Weeds

Meridel Le Sueur: The Girl

Kay Mills: This Little Light of Mine; The Life of Fannie Lou Hamer

Esmeralda Santiago: When I Was Puerto Rican

Anzia Yezierska: Bread Givers

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Jan 9 Introduction to the Course

Jan 11 & 16 U.S. women=s history to 1900

Jan 18 Quiz and discussion of Weeds

Jan 23 & 25 Women in the Industrial Revolution and the A New Woman

Jan 30 & Feb 1 Writing exercise and discussion of Bread Givers

Feb 6 & 8 Quiz and discussion of article on domestic revolution of 1920s

Feb 13 & 15 Good times and bad times between two world wars

Feb 20 & 22 Quiz and discussion of The Girl