HIST 2065 - Women in America to 1890

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture None Lab None
Course Description: This course explores the complex experiences of women in American history. It includes a strong focus on the lives of Native American, African American, and Hispanic women in the early years of the nation and the experiences of new immigrants from Asia and Eastern Europe in the 19th century. In addition, the course will cover the interactions of women and men from multiple classes and locations as the country expands to the West, argues about slavery, fights a bloody Civil War, and emerges to struggle with key issues of race, class, and gender.
MnTC Goals
5 History/Social/Behavioral Science, 7 Human Diversity

Prerequisite(s): ENGL 1020   with a grade of C or higher OR ENGL 1021  with a grade of C or higher.
Corequisite(s): None
Recommendation: HIST 1031  

Major Content

1. Culture Clash: Native American and European gender roles
2. Slaves and Servants: African women, poor white women, racism and class hostility
3. Revolution and Gender: Housewives and patriots; Native Americans and slaves
4. Politics and Gender: Republican Motherhood
5. Families and Responsibilities: Domestic ideals and realities
6. Western Frontier: Native American removals, African Americans slave and free
7. The Spanish territories: Mexican, indigenous, and Hispanic women
8. Industrialization: Mill girls and shop girls
9. Womens Rights Movement: Class, race, and gender
10. Civil War and Gender: Women on the home front and battlefield
11. Reconstruction: African American women in the south and north
12. Trans-American West: Diversity and controversy
13. The New Women: New jobs, new professions, new immigrants

1. explain, in a clear and comprehensive manner, the story of the American women, accounting for diverse individuals, groups, ideas and events.
2. analyze primary and secondary sources using historical methods of evidence.
3. synthesize historical material from diverse sources and points of view.
4. demonstrate advanced progress in their reading, writing, discussing and/or other critical thinking skills.
5. evaluate the relevance of Womens History to their own lives.

05. 02. Examine social institutions and processes across a range of historical periods and cultures.

05. 03. Use and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories.
Competency 2 (7-10)
07. 01. Understand the development of and the changing meanings of group identities in the United States’ history and culture.

07. 03. Analyze their own attitudes, behaviors, concepts and beliefs regarding diversity, racism, and bigotry.

07. 04. Describe and discuss the experience and contributions (political, social, economic, etc.) of the many groups that shape American society and culture, in particular those groups that have suffered discrimination and exclusion.

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