WGST 4650: Does Women’s History Matter?

Course Description

This seminar explores the development of the field of Women’s History, primarily through the lens of the U.S., with an emphasis on recent trends in the field. Students read some of the best scholarship of recent years as well as learn about the origins and development of the field. We also examine how women’s history functions in the broader political and cultural landscape by considering current debates around gender and the role of women’s history in popular culture. Students hone their skills at dissecting and using scholarly literature and apply the resulting knowledge to current trends and debates in the world around them. For the course research paper, students use their understanding of the field -- its guiding concepts, foundational texts, newest trajectories, and impact -- to answer the question of whether “women’s history” is still relevant. (OC).