Description:                 Through the use of contemporary writings about and by women, this course explores the social, cultural, political, and economic roles of European women circa 1400-1800, as based upon and developed from classical and medieval conceptions of gender.  We pay particular attention to how women were perceived and represented in this period, and how they were influenced or controlled by secular and religious authorities.  More importantly, we investigate the ways in which women thought and wrote about themselves, and the ways in which they confronted or manipulated the strictures which generally characterized them as inferior to their male counterparts.

Requirements:              Students will be required to take two term examinations based on lecture material and assigned readings (each worth 20% of the final grade).  Additionally, students must complete a research project, which will be graded in three parts: a thesis page and annotated bibliography (15%), and a final paper (20%).  Attendance will count for 10% of the final course grade, while participation will count for the remaining 15%.

                                    See pages 4-6 of this syllabus for additional information on class requirements and policies.

Required books:           All required books are available at the Kennel Bookstore.

Recommended books:

Hufton, Olwen.  The Prospect Before Her: a History of Women in Western Europe, 1500-1800.  New York:   Vintage Books, 1995.

Wiesner, Merry E.  Women and Gender in Early Modern Europe.  New York: Cambridge University Press, 2000.

Note: Most of the readings for this course are available only through the course’s electronic syllabus.