HIST 615: Problems in American History

HIST 615-004: Women and Work
(Fall 2010)

04:30 PM to 07:10 PM T

Johnson Center TBA

Section Information for Fall 2010

The course readings allow us to examine women’s labor through both historical and contemporary lenses. Starting with the United States in the colonial period, the course explores how the concept of women’s work has developed overtime, with emphasis on the intersecting effects of class, race, ethnicity, and religion in the hierarchical structuring of women’s work. In examining women’s work we will interrogate the role ideologies of womanhood and stereotyping have had on the kinds of work women perform, and explore theories explaining occupational sex segregation and discrimination in the workforce. The course will look at both paid and unpaid work, power struggles within the workplace, and the impact of unionization, protective legislation, the social movements, and economic restructuring on women’s work. After examining some of the major themes in women’s labor history in the United States history, we will explore the ways in which globalization and neo-liberal policies have affected the economic relationship of women to the state and have molded an international gendered hierarchy of workers. The course will explore the global assembly line, domestic and service work, and work in the informal sector and in agriculture. Key themes discussed include feminization of poverty and the labor migration process, trafficking in women, the reemergence of the sweatshop, and the impact of economic life on gender relations and the model of the family.

HIST 615 004 meets in the JC, room 240A.

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Course Information from the University Catalog

Credits: 1-6

Readings and discussion of bibliographies, interpretations, and research trends in topics selected by instructor. Notes: May be repeated for credit when topic is different. May be repeated within the term.
Specialized Designation: Green Leaf Related Course, Topic Varies
Registration Restrictions:

Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Junior Plus, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.

Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.

Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.

Schedule Type: Lec/Sem #1, Lec/Sem #2, Lec/Sem #3, Lec/Sem #4, Lec/Sem #5, Lec/Sem #6, Lec/Sem #7, Lec/Sem #8, Lec/Sem #9, Lecture, Sem/Lec #10, Sem/Lec #11, Sem/Lec #12, Sem/Lec #13, Sem/Lec #14, Sem/Lec #15, Sem/Lec #16, Sem/Lec #17, Sem/Lec #18
Grading:
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.

The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes.