This course will introduce you to the essential history, writings, and vocabulary of the women's movement and feminism in the 19th and 20th centuries. The course has a "bifocal" methodology. The history of women's struggles for equality is presented chronologically, beginning (after a quick look at the writings of protofeminists of the 14th to 17th centuries) with the emergence of first wave feminism out of the abolitionist struggles of the mid-19th century, but because that history is available to us only because of the recuperative work of second and third wave feminists, we will always be looking at that history from a late 20th-century perspective. In this course, therefore, we will always be aware of the production of the past by the scholars of the present.

You will learn or sharpen a number of learning skills in this course, including Internet and library research capabilities and critical thinking, reading, and writing skills.

This course is a Tier 2 Individuals and Societies course that satisfies the gender, race, ethnicity, non-western study requirement. It is required for the Women's Studies major and minor. If you're interested in learning more about Women's Studies, make an appointment to talk with me about making it part of your study program.

Web site created and maintained by Kari B. McBride, Women's Studies Department, University of Arizona, with expert advice from Jessica Turk. Graphic Design by Maritza Quintero. Gif animation by Casey Ontiveros. The three images above are of Harriet Tubman, Susan B. Anthony, and Queen Liliuokalani.