Last modified: 04 Oct 2022 15:00
This course examines over a century of women’s activism in the United States. It will disrupt top-down histories that centre a singular narrative of women’s history in the US to instead consider the diverse and multifaceted forms of activism and coalition-building enacted by women of colour, poor, working class and queer women. By examining a range of sources and media including zines, poetry and podcasts, and key topics such as birth control, incarceration and #MeToo, we will examine how far the United States has come, and how far it still has to go.
| Study Type | Undergraduate | Level | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Term | First Term | Credit Points | 30 credits (15 ECTS credits) |
| Campus | Aberdeen | Sustained Study | No |
| Co-ordinators |
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Since the election of Donald Trump in 2016, women’s rights in the United States have been in a state of turmoil. From the Women’s March in 2017, to the overturn of Roe vs Wade in 2022, women’s rights have been at the forefront of politics and culture, and the study of women’s history has never been so important. What can we learn from histories of gender and activism in the US? What challenges have American women faced in the past and how have they responded? How have they organised and used cultural tools to resist? And how can we relate this to our own position in contemporary society?
This module will trace a lineage of women’s activism in the United States throughout the 20th century and up to the present day, exploring the intersections of race, gender, sexuality and class. By examining a variety of source materials including music, print culture, poetry, podcasts and social media, we will consider how communities of women in the US have used cultural tools and artistic expression to resist the racism, sexism, classism, homophobia and transphobia in American society. From the early Birth Control movement to juvenile delinquency, anti-prison activism and Riot Grrrls, it will trace the moments and movements that have shaped contemporary America and the cultural outputs that have sustained and defined them.
The assessment for the module consists of three parts: weekly provocations and seminar participation; a 3,000-word essay, and a Cultures of Resistance Group Project whereby you will be asked to work in small groups to research a group or organisation who relate to the key areas and debates that we are exploring each week and collectively present this information through a creative format.
Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 40 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 20 | Feedback Weeks | 24 | |
| Feedback |
This assessment asks students to research an individual/organisation who relate to the key areas and debates that we are exploring each week and collectively present this information through a creative format. This might include zines, podcasts, PowerPoints, vlogs or posters and does not require live oral presentation. There is a workshop midway through the module to facilitate the group work. Comments and grades will be delivered via email to the individual groups and further feedback will be provided through in-person meetings. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Be familiar with key gender and race theory and recent historiographical developments |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Apply an interdisciplinary approach to the study of American History, drawing on approaches derived from sociology, literary criticism and American cultural studies |
| Conceptual | Understand | Be aware of and understand how factors such as race, gender, sexuality and class impact upon society, politics and culture and the study of history |
| Factual | Understand | Have a broad understanding of women’s history and social movements in the United States since 1900 and how culture can be utilised as a form of activism |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills analysing a variety of sources and media including visual culture, music, podcasts, print culture, novels, speeches and organisational records |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | 15 | Feedback Weeks | 17 | |
| Feedback |
Written feedback will be provided via email as well as the opportunity to get further feedback in in-person meetings |
Word Count | 3000 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Be familiar with key gender and race theory and recent historiographical developments |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Apply an interdisciplinary approach to the study of American History, drawing on approaches derived from sociology, literary criticism and American cultural studies |
| Conceptual | Understand | Be aware of and understand how factors such as race, gender, sexuality and class impact upon society, politics and culture and the study of history |
| Factual | Understand | Have a broad understanding of women’s history and social movements in the United States since 1900 and how culture can be utilised as a form of activism |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills analysing a variety of sources and media including visual culture, music, podcasts, print culture, novels, speeches and organisational records |
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 10 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | 20 | ||
| Feedback |
Part of this participation element involves weekly “provocations” whereby students are expected to email the course coordinator with 3 thoughts, questions or ideas related to the weekly readings (or their wider reading) at least 24hrs ahead of the seminar. This contributes to their overall participation mark. Feedback will be in the form of email notification of marks with comments; general remarks in class and on MyAberdeen. |
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Conceptual | Apply | Be familiar with key gender and race theory and recent historiographical developments |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Apply an interdisciplinary approach to the study of American History, drawing on approaches derived from sociology, literary criticism and American cultural studies |
| Conceptual | Understand | Be aware of and understand how factors such as race, gender, sexuality and class impact upon society, politics and culture and the study of history |
| Factual | Understand | Have a broad understanding of women’s history and social movements in the United States since 1900 and how culture can be utilised as a form of activism |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills analysing a variety of sources and media including visual culture, music, podcasts, print culture, novels, speeches and organisational records |
There are no assessments for this course.
| Assessment Type | Summative | Weighting | 100 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment Weeks | Feedback Weeks | |||
| Feedback |
Feedback will be in the form of email notification of marks with comments and via the MyAberdeen marking system. |
Word Count | 3500 | |
| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
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| Knowledge Level | Thinking Skill | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Factual | Understand | Have a broad understanding of women’s history and social movements in the United States since 1900 and how culture can be utilised as a form of activism |
| Conceptual | Apply | Be familiar with key gender and race theory and recent historiographical developments |
| Conceptual | Understand | Be aware of and understand how factors such as race, gender, sexuality and class impact upon society, politics and culture and the study of history |
| Conceptual | Evaluate | Apply an interdisciplinary approach to the study of American History, drawing on approaches derived from sociology, literary criticism and American cultural studies |
| Procedural | Analyse | Develop skills analysing a variety of sources and media including visual culture, music, podcasts, print culture, novels, speeches and organisational records |
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