Solano College Summer 2014

History 37
Women in American History
Summer 2014
Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs. 10:00am 11:15am

Instructor: Rachel Purdie Class location: Main Campus, room 705
Email: Rachel.Purdie@solano.edu Office Hours: Room 715; 9:00am 9:45am M-R
purdier@gmail.com

Course Description:

SCC Catalog Description: This class is a survey of women's roles in American history from its pre-
colonial origins to the present. Emphasis on women's experiences and contributions to historical
developments regarding social, economic, and cultural life, government, politics, personal issues, the
U.S. Constitution, race and racism, ethnicity, and gender. CSU/UC Transferable - (UC): IGETC Area
3 Humanities, Area 4D, Area 4F; (CSU) GE Area C2, Area D4, Area D6.

In exploring American womens historical experiences and the meanings that women have ascribed to
these experiences, we will examine the ways in which race, class, and ethnicity have shaped womens
labor, reproduction, social roles, and political status. This course also investigates the role that gender
plays in the construction of American history.

Advisory: Eligibility for English 001; a C or better in History 17 and/or 18 helpful but not necessary.
Units: 3

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs):
1. Analyze the significant causal factors that contributed to the shaping of historical
movements, events and trends.

2. Compare and contrast the lives and roles of American women throughout various periods
of history, taking into account the impact of ethnicity, class, and gender.


3. Identify and analyze the economic, social, political, and cultural forces that determined
the lives and roles of women in both the past and the present.

Required Texts:
Ellen Carol DuBois, Lynn Dumenil, Through Women's Eyes: An American History with Documents,
Third Edition. (New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2012).

Joan Jacobs Brumberg. The Body Project: An Intimate History of American Girls. (New York:
Random House, 1997).

Recommended Texts:
Howard Zinn. A Peoples History of the United States, 1492-Present (Harper, 2005)
Kate L. Turabian. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, Eighth Ed.

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Grading and Assignments:
The graded assignments for this course are as follows:

One (1) one short (3-4 page) paper on a topic in womens history
Seven (7) weekly quizzes (short answer/ID term; lowest score will be dropped),
Seven (7) weekly homework assignments (lowest score dropped)
One (1) scheduled final exam (bring a large, unmarked bluebook)

LATE WORK IS NOT ACCEPTED. There will be no extensions or make-ups granted on any of
these assignments unless an unforeseen and unavoidable crisis occurs. Students in such situations
must provide official written documentation of the crisis in order to be granted an extension. In
addition, in-class activities cannot be made up, no exceptions.

Weekly quizzes generally consist of short answer/term identification questions from lecture and/or
assigned readings, which usually cover topics and themes from that specific week. Weekly homework
assignments will generally involve document and/or image analysis using primary source documents
from the main textbook, Through Womens Eyes. The final exam will be part short answer with one
longer essay question. I will distribute lecture outlines for all lecture days and a study guide for the
final. Also, I will allocate class time for a review session before the final exam. For your convenience,
I have set up a supplementary webpage for this course; all course materials/handouts will be uploaded
to the page: http://solanocollegehistory.weebly.com


Grading Scale: Grade Breakdown:
A 90-100 One 3-4 page paper 15%
B 80-89 Weekly quizzes (6 graded) 30%
C 70-79 Weekly assignments (6 graded) 30%
D 60-69 Final Exam 15%
F 59 and below Participation/Discussion 10%


Attendance and Participation:
Attendance is mandatory and will be taken daily. In a summer course, missing two days of class is the
full semester equivalent of missing an entire week. Your participation grade is tied to your attendance;
as such, all students are expected to attend regularly. Exceptions to this rule include illness and/or
verifiable emergencies. In addition, participation is more than just showing up. Students are expected
to contribute to discussion and be engaged for the duration of the class period.

Email Etiquette:
Please be mindful of the fact that your instructors likely have hundreds of students, multiple class
sections, and possibly even teach at multiple colleges. When emailing your instructor, include your
first and last name, class days and time, as well as a subject heading to let he/she know what the email
is regarding (ex: Smith, John_HIST 17A M/W 12:30-1:50pm Re: My absence last Monday, Dec 2).

In addition, please allow at least 48 hours for a response from me. I do not check my email after
8:00pm on weekdays and I do not consistently check email over the weekend.



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Academic Dishonesty:
Academic Dishonesty refers to plagiarism and/or cheating. I encourage students to consult the SCC
College Student Handbook, which can be accessed this location:
http://www.solano.edu/student_service/1112/Student%20Rights%20Handbook_rev08.pdf
Cheating and/or plagiarizing will result in a failing grade on the quiz/exam/assignment and possible
removal from the class.

Instructor Biography:
Rachel Purdie holds a Masters Degree in American History, specializing in Womens History,
comparative cultural history, and 20
th
century popular culture from California State University,
Sacramento. Ms. Purdie also completed a Bachelors Degree in History with a minor in Jazz Studies at
CSUS in 2007. Ms. Purdie teaches American History and music history at Heald College in
Sacramento and all survey courses in American History and womens history at Sierra College in
Rocklin, CA. In addition, Ms. Purdie served as an adjunct lecturer in the History Department at CSUS
while a graduate student, teaching and facilitating undergraduate survey courses in U.S. History. Shes
a Taurus who enjoys long walks on the beach, travelling, and Internet cat videos. Ms. Purdie joined
the Solano College History Department faculty in 2014.

Classroom Policies:
1). Be respectful. This class will examine several topics in American womens history that are
unpleasant, awkward, and divisive. We all come from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and
experiences that give us our unique perspective on the world around us. As adults, I expect all students
to be able to engage in a controversial discourse without personal attack. This also includes being
mindful of how much you may be dominating the discussion. Disrespectful behavior will not be
tolerated.

2). Turn off/silence all cell phones during class. Texting/gaming/checking email/ etc. during class is
not only rude, it is distracting to your peers. If Candy Crush Saga/My Singing Monsters, etc** is
legitimately more important than my class, I will ask you to leave. However, be advised that my
participation and attendance standards will be enforced.

3). Food and drink in the classroom are NOT permitted except water in a closed container or bottle
with a screw top (campus policy, not mine). If you have a medical condition that requires
accommodation concerning food/drink, please let me know.

4). Laptops/tablets are allowed, but for class purposes only. See policy #2.

5). I do not allow students to tape record or take video of my lectures. If you have a disability that
requires such accommodations, you must disclose this to me during the first week and be able to verify
said disability with proper documentation.

**Who plays these games? They arent even fun!! Okay, rant over.








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CLASS SCHEDULE
The syllabus can be modified at any time. Live in fear.

Being successful in this class requires that you stay on top of the assigned readings and make an honest
effort to absorb course themes/content. All readings come from the main textbook (Through Womens
Eyes) unless indicated otherwise. Additional readings may be assigned throughout the semester.
Students are expected to come to class having read the assigned pages. Bringing your textbook to class
is recommended but not required.

WEEK/DATE TOPICS/THEMES/READINGS ASSIGNMENT

Week 1
June 16-19


Course Introduction, Native Americans, Women in the
Colonies, The Crisis in Salem
Ch 1 (3-36)
Ch 2 (56-88)
Weekly Assignment #1
Quiz #1
(Thursday,
June 19)

Week 2
June 23-26


The Revolutionary War, The Early Republic,
Industrialization, Republican Womanhood, 1750-1860
Ch 3 (122-151)
Ch 4 (186-218)
Weekly Assignment #2
W.A. #1 due
Monday June
23
Quiz #2
(Thursday,
June 26)
Week 3
June 30- July
3


Seneca Falls, Slavery, Abolition, Westward Expansion, The
Civil War, 1820s-1865
Ch 5 (252-286)
Weekly Assignment #3
W.A. #2 due
Monday,
June 30
Quiz #3
(Thursday
July 3)
Week 4
July 7-10


Reconstruction, Immigration, nationhood and womanhood,
1865-1900
Ch 6 (320-352)
Ch 7 (388-420)
Weekly Assignment #4
NO CLASS MONDAY, JULY 7
th
.
W.A. #3 due
Tuesday,
July 8
Quiz #4
(Thursday
July 10)
Week 5
July 14-17


The Progressive Era, Womens suffrage and WWI, birth
control and eugenics, 1900-1920
Ch 8 (456-492)
Film excerpt: Iron-Jawed Angels (2004)
Weekly Assignment #5
Midterm grade printouts provided
W.A. #4 due
Monday,
July 14
Quiz #5
(Thursday,
July 17)

Week 6
July 21-24


The Roaring 20s and the Great Depression, women in WWII,
the cold war domestic containment
Ch 9 (522-557)
Ch 10 (594-633)
The Body Project, Intro, Part 1
W.A. #5 due
Monday,
July 21
Papers due
Wednesday,

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Film Excerpt: Rosie the Riveter
Weekly Assignment #6

July 23
Quiz #6
(Thursday,
July 24)
Week 7
July 28-31


Modern Feminism and American Society, Womens
Liberation, Birth Control, Abortion, 1965-1980
Ch 11 (672-707)
The Body Project, Parts 2-4
Film Excerpt: If These Walls Could Talk
Weekly Assignment #7
W.A. #6 due
Monday,
July 28
Quiz #7
(Thursday,
July 31)


Week 8
Aug. 4-7


The 1980s, modern Feminism and contemporary womens
issues, 1980 - present
Ch 12 (742-779)
The Body Project, Parts 5-6
Discussion: current events
W.A. #7 due
Monday,
Aug. 4
FINAL
EXAM
(Thursday,
August 7th)