History of Women in the United States and Great Britain

Course Details

Course Number: 4673  Section Number: 201

Spring 2011

Location: Prothro-Yeager Hall

Classroom Number: 202

Days & Times:

TR 9:30 - 10:50 am

Course Attachments

Textbooks

Women and the American Experience: A Concise HistoGender and Power in Britain, 1640-1990.When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of Am
MSU Faculty Member
Dr. Sharon L. Arnoult   
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Course Objectives

This course examines the lives of women in the United States and Great Britain from around 1600 to the present. Its central focus is how the factor of gender, along with other factors such as class and race, affected the historical experience of women. While no prior knowledge of British history is required, it is presumed that the student has had the lower-division survey of U.S. history.


Course Expectations

Course Requirements:

2 exams, worth 30% each.

Internet project, worth 10%.

Research paper, worth 30%.

Exams:

The course is divided into two parts. At the end of each section there will be an exam, primarily an essay exam. Each exam will cover only the readings and lectures in that section of the course.

Internet Project:

This will be done in class, as an exercise in beginning to think about gender and history. We will use the web site www.oldbaileyonline.org and we will meet in the computer lab at the library, working with this site, which contains information on the workings of London’s central criminal court between 1674 - 1913, as well as transcripts of actual trials. Students will research and write up a trial involving a woman. Credit will be pass/fail; in other words, you do the project and get 10 points towards your final grade, or you don’t do it and lose 10 points.

Research Paper

In this paper, you are to research and write about the life of a woman known to you, living or dead. This will most likely be a family history, either of a woman that you know/have known (for example, a mother, grandmother, aunt, etc.), or a woman (for example, a great-grandmother) that you have heard about but not known personally. Using oral history and primary sources (letters, legal certificates, etc.), you will construct this woman’s life history and put it in historical context. How was – or wasn’t – her life "typical" of her times? How did historical events and currents shape her life? An alternative to a family history is to profile in the same way a woman (teacher, coach, office holder, etc.) that you admire who is not a relative.

This paper counts for 30% of your final grade, and the quality of your research is a very important component in the grade you receive. The instructor will have available textbooks for the second half of US history to help you with the context, and, of course, our own texts will help as well.


Grading Standards

Standard 100 point scale except for internet project which is credit/no credit.


Final Exam5/10/2011  8 - 10 am

Submission Format Policy

Papers must be typed and annotated.



Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Late Paper Policy

Late papers will be penalized 5 points off for each weekday late and ABSOLUTELY NO PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER THURSDAY, MAY 5.


Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception. Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters. We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student. We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed. Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

Students with Disabilities The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, 397-4140.

Safe Zones Statement The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

Contacting your Instructor All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MWSU e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

Attendance Requirements

You are expected to attend class but a formal roll will not be kept. However, if you do not attend class, you will not have the material necessary to pass the exams.


Writing Proficiency Requirement All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed English 1113 and English 1123 and 2) earned 60 hours. You may meet this requirement by passing either the Writing Proficiency Exam or English 2113. Please keep in mind that, once you've earned over 90 hours, you lose the opportunity to take the $25 exam and have no option but to enroll in the three-credit hour course. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at http://academics.mwsu.edu/wpr, or call 397-4131.