Course Description
This course will focus on the problems associated with the roles of women in American society and compare perspectives on the status of women across social institutions. Through a variety of selected readings, the course will provide an opportunity to investigate the ways in which women in American society have been impacted by sexism, classism, racism, and cultural differences in both the historical and contemporary eras. (3 credits)
Prerequisite
- None
Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to understand the intersection of gender, class, and race as forces impacting the status of women in society.
- Enact self-reflection in regard to women’s issues.
- Apply critical thinking to the topic of women’s issues.
- Demonstrate an understanding of the ways in which gender oppression may manifest itself in specific and general ways across social institutions in American society as well as the greater global community.
- Demonstrate an understanding of how historical effects of gender oppression impact us in the contemporary era.
- Conceptualize and frame personal, work-related, and/or social issues related to gender from the perspective of sociology.
- Collect, analyze and interpret data relevant to personal, work-related and/or social issues related to gender from the perspective of sociology.
- Identify the value of pro-active citizenship in the form of community/university service, and/or professional activities.
- Recognize and appreciate human difference on the basis of social class, race/ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, and the skills to apply their understanding in diverse social contexts.
Course Activities and Grading
| Assignments | Weight |
|---|---|
Discussion Group Participation (Weeks 1-15) | 25% |
Quizzes (Weeks 1-4, 6-9, 11-15) | 25% |
Essays (Weeks 5 & 10) | 25% |
Final Paper (Week 13) | 25% |
Total | 100% |
Required Textbooks
Available through Charter Oak's online bookstore
- Dubois, Ellen Carol, Dumenil, Lynn. Through Women's Eyes, Combined Volume: An American History with Documents. 5th ed. Bedford/St. Martin's. 2019. ISBN-13: 9781319104931
Course Schedule
Assignments are due by Sunday each week.
| Week | Readings and Exercises | Assignments |
|---|---|---|
1 |
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2 | “America in the World, to 1650”
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3 | “The Colonial Worlds, 1607-1750”
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4 | “Mothers and Daughter of the Revolution, 1750- 1800"
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5 | “First Essay"
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6 | “Pedestal, Loom and Auction Block, 1800-1860”
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7 | “Shifting Boundaries: Expansion, Reform and Civil War, 1840-1865”
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8 | “Reconstructing Women’s Lives North and South, 1865-1900"
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9 | “Women in the Expanding Nation: Consolidation of the West, Mass Immigration, and the Crisis of 1890”
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10 | “Second Essay"
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11 | “Power and Politics: Women in the Progressive Era, 1900-1920”
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12 | “Change and the Community :
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13 | “Beyond the Feminine Mystique: Women’s Lives 1945-1965”
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14 | “Modern Feminism and American Society 1965-1980”
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15 | “Women in a Global Economy 1980-Present”
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COSC Accessibility Statement
Charter Oak State College encourages students with disabilities, including non-visible disabilities such as chronic diseases, learning disabilities, head injury, attention deficit/hyperactive disorder, or psychiatric disabilities, to discuss appropriate accommodations with the Office of Accessibility Services at OAS@charteroak.edu.
COSC Policies, Course Policies, Academic Support Services and Resources
Students are responsible for knowing all Charter Oak State College (COSC) institutional policies, course-specific policies, procedures, and available academic support services and resources. Please see COSC Policies for COSC institutional policies, and see also specific policies related to this course. See COSC Resources for information regarding available academic support services and resources.