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This course provides an introduction to the diverse history of women in the United States from the period prior to European contact through the present day. Placing women at the center of our interpretation, we will examine social, cultural, economic, and political aspects of women's lives throughout US history. Particular attention is paid to the diversity of women's experiences. Thus, a main focus of this course is the exploration of how women's lives have been shaped not just by gender, but also by issues of race, ethnicity, class, religion, and region. By the end of the semester, students should have acquired a basic understanding of US women's history, as well as the ability to integrate a discussion of women and gender into their future history courses.
Required Reading:
Sara M. Evans, Born for Liberty (2nd ed., 1997)
Vicki L. Ruiz and Ellen Carol DuBois, eds., Unequal Sisters: A Multicultural Reader in U.S. Women's History (3rd ed., 2000)
Course Requirements:
All students are expected to attend course lectures and to complete all reading assignments during the week that they are due. In this course, the assignments will be as follows:
Attendance and participation (not worth a specific amount of points, but could be used to rise borderline grades at the end of the semester; i.e. 89.3% could be raised to an A grade with good attendance and participation)
2-3 page analysis of women and gender in contemporary life (worth 100 points)
Several brief essays (each worth 50 points)
Two mid-term examinations (each worth 150 points)
Brief women's history presentation (worth 100 points)
Additional assignments announced over the course of the semester (relative worth TBA)
Final examination (worth 150 points)
Attendance and Participation:
Attendance and participation are critical for this course. The material presented in lectures, video clips, and class discussions are designed to work with your reading. However, doing the required reading will not work as a substitute for attending class (and vice versa). Good attendance and participation will be rewarded. If you miss no more than four class meetings and have been an active participant in class discussions, you will have the option to take a shorter final exam.
Analysis of women and gender in contemporary life:
This is an informal, 2-3 page writing in which you will get together in groups of three (or four) people to analyze women and gender as presented in two settings: (1) on campus; and (2) in any contemporary television program. Your assignment here is to observe both the campus and this TV show critically, paying particularly close attention to the ways women interact with others both in real life and on our cultural "window to the world". How are women and gender issues portrayed in the TV program (and in the commercials during the program)? How does this compare to the real-life situation you observed on our campus? You should also compare the similarities and differences between the roles of women and those of men in the TV program, as well as on campus. This assignment will be described more fully in class, since it will be due at the beginning of the second week, January 17. Although this assignment may be written in an informal style, it should be typed (word processed).
Essays:
You will be required to write several essays over the course of the semester. Some of these will be in an in-class format, while others will be take-home assignments.
The purpose of the essay assignment is for you to express your own "take" on the history of women in the United States. Do not simply provide a summary of the week's readings or my lectures. Instead, discuss your own interpretation of the issues in question. This is your chance to explain your own independent and informed opinion about our nation's past, so use the readings and other course materials as your foundation for building a logical, focused argument. A successful essay will support all opinions/perspectives with specific information ("facts") provided in that week's readings.
Specific essay topics and deadlines will be announced in class.
Exams:
Each exam will be based on both readings and lectures - as well as the material presented by your peers during brief presentations. There will be two mid-term exams and one final exam. All exams will contain multiple choice and short answer components. On the day of the exam, you may use one 4x6 index card containing your own notes.
The final exam will not be cumulative. Those of you who have good attendance and participation are only required to write one essay on the final exam.
Women's History Presentation:
Each student will present one specific topic in U.S. women's history during the course of the semester. Each student will research one topic and then will present the topic to the rest of the class on a previously arranged date. Presentation assignments will be made in the 1st weeks of the course, based on students' individual interests in US women's history. After assignments are made, individual students may switch topics if desired. However, you must discuss any alterations with the professor.
Class Policies:
Unless the professor announces otherwise, all reading assignments should be completed during the week for which they are scheduled. (i.e. The first week's readings should be completed before class on Friday, August 17.)
Late Work/Make-up Exam Policy: Make-up exams must be discussed with the professor prior to the scheduled date of the exam. Late work is not acceptable and will not be permitted except in the most dire of circumstances. In case of an emergency, such as illness, you must contact the professor as soon as possible to make special arrangements. The professor reserves the right to decide whether individual student circumstances warrant these special arrangements.
Grading Policy: Students must complete all work in order to pass this course. Your work will not be graded on a class curve. However, the professor will take improvement into account when evaluating your final grade in the course.
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89.9%
C = 70-79.9%
D = 60-69.9%
F = 59.9% and below
MJC does not recognize a +/- system, but you will be receiving +/- grades for individual assignments throughout this course.
Academic Honesty Policy: Cheating and plagiarism are not permitted! Any evidence of cheating or plagiarism (presenting another person/text's work as if it were your own) will be treated harshly. Don't do it. My best advice to you here is to be certain that you acknowledge your sources carefully and consistently in all of your written work.
Withdrawal/Drop Policy: The professor will not drop students who are not attending this course. Therefore, if a student wants to be dropped from the course, it is the student's responsibility to withdraw by the appropriate campus deadlines. See schedule for drop deadlines.
Non-discrimination Policy: Modesto Junior College is designed to be a safe, comfortable environment for all members of the campus community. Therefore, it is the policy of MJC to not discriminate on the basis of "… ethnic group identification, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, color, physical or mental disability…", etc. Discriminatory behavior of any kind will not be tolerated in History 116.
If you have special needs that may require additional classroom accommodations or services, please see me during the first week, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
The professor reserves the right to alter this syllabus over the course of the semester.
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