HISTORY 251: WOMEN IN WORLD HISTORY Fall 2010Course InformationWomen in World HistoryHIST 251 AMWF 11:00-11:50, HHL 1213 credit hours Instructor InformationDr. Anita Fisher, History Professor Email: [email protected]: Foster Hall 121 Mail Box: Foster HallOffice Phone & Voicemail: 360-992-2199Office Hours: Monday 2:15-3:15; Tuesday & Thursday 11-12Required TextWomen in World History: Vol. 1: Readings from Prehistory to 1500, by Sarah Shaver Hughes & Brady Hughes, London: England, M.E. Sharpe, 1995.Optional Texts & Readings:Optional texts are on reserve in the library. Women in the Western Heritage by Helga H. Harriman, Guildford, CT: The Dushkin Publishing Group, Inc., Not in God’s Image: Women in History from the Greeks to the Late Middle Ages edited by Julian O’Faolain and Lauro Martines, Harper & Row Publishers, and Women’s Life in Greece & Rome: A sourcebook in translation, 2nd ed. by Mary R. Lefkowitz & Maureen B. Fant. Except for the first one, these books are anthologies of primary or originalsources, material that professional historians use to reconstruct history. I highly recommend that you read these books to supplement my lectures. Look at the table of contents or index for pertinent pages.My lecture notes will be available on my website: http://web.clark.edu/afisher. The notes are in outlineformat, and you may download them if you want. A prose version of the lectures and ancillary information are also available for downloading. A one-page outline is handed out for all lectures. Occasionally, Blackboard will have pertinent material for this class—you will be informed in advance.Course DescriptionScopeHistory 251 is the first term of a 3-quarter sequence on Women in World History. The three courses maybe taken in any order, but it is preferable to take History 251 first. This course will explore the role of women in World History from pre-historical times through the fall of the Roman Empire in the West. This time is known as ancient history. We will be studying ancient Europe, Middle East, India, and China, including Egypt, Mesopotamia, classical Greece and Rome, the Hebrews, Celts, and the early Christians. We will explore the role of women in the family, the economy, the culture, the religion and the political structure. The origins and development of misogyny, views of female inferiority, how women responded to various challenges, and how women’s life cycle affected their status will be examined as well.FormatThe instructional methods are lectures, class and small group discussions, slides, PowerPoint images, costumes, and hands-on artifacts or replications.PhilosophyWe study history to find out how people behaved, what they thought and felt, and how their actions and thoughts continue to influence us. You will see how historians use written records and artifacts to reconstruct the past, and to interpret what it meant to be civilized in the context of ancient history.College-wide Abilities, General Education and Background NeedsIn History 251, as in many college-level courses, all six college-wide abilities are taught at some level, both directly and indirectly. History 251 may be used to fulfill electives in social science distribution requirements, and history, education, and women’s studies majors may use the class as a suitable background course for upper division work. It also provides helpful background for literature, art, philosophy, law, music, sociology, and religion majors as well as for students of the other social sciences. History 251 particularly emphasizes critical thinking, using modern research tools to access historical information and communication of written ideas, and global awareness. Student Learning Objectives- Students who have completed History 251 should be able to identify and give the historical significance of events and personalities, as well as process and respond to the political, intellectual, economic, philosophical and religious ideas of the ancient period.- Students should be able to identify the changing positions and roles of women in the historyof world civilizations.- Students should be able to identify the origins and continuation of negative and positive attitudes about women throughout history.- Students should be able to identify the contributions of women in the various areas such as the economy, political and religious structures, etc. in the different cultures.- Students should be able to research a limited historical question, using conventional and electronic indexes, original and secondary sources, and present their research in writing in the format used by historians.- Students should be able to compare and contrast societies of different regions and time frames, supporting their generalizations with factual material drawn from the historical record.- Students should be able to recognize the difference between primary and secondary sourcesof historical information.- Students should be able to recognize the impact of events and ideas from the past on world events in their own and other societies throughout history.- Students should be able to distinguish between their own values and those beliefs and values of other cultures.Course PoliciesClassroom MannersAt the beginning of the course I will discuss my expectations for proper college decorum, like no talking while I am talking or another student is, late arrival, no cell phones on, etc; and you will be given a chance to state your expectations of me, like starting classes on time, grading in timely fashion, etc.Attendance & ParticipationParticipation in classroom and group discussions is dependent on attendance, on reading the assigned materials in advance, listening attentively to lectures, and on responsiveness to in-class questions. 2RequirementsReadingsStudents are responsible for all readings listed on the Course Schedule of Lectures and Reading Assignments. It is preferable that students read the assigned material before the lecture in which the information will be discussed.DiscussionsIn-class discussions will be held regularly including analysis of the primary sources. ExaminationsThere will be two examinations, one at mid-term and one during finals week. Examinations employ essay questions and short answer identifications. Study questions will be handed out at least one week in advance of each test and the instructor will provide a review of the material to be covered in each examination. The final examination is not comprehensive