HIS 350L • Women in Sickness and Health - W
In this seminar course, students will learn about the history of medical and scientific theories and practices in America regarding women's health throughout the lifecycle. Students will learn how women, at different times from the colonial period through the 20th century and from diverse populations, pursued good health and sought to manage challenges to good health. Through reading, discussion, and short lectures, students will learn about menarche and menses, childbirth, gynecological problems, nervous and mental illnesses, contraception and abortion, "the white plague" (tuberculosis), and cancer. This is a reading intensive class that includes a substantial writing component.
Grading Basis: two 5 page papers at 25% each, one final paper at 35%, and brief weekly in-class writing (2 paragraphs) and participation at 15%
Texts (tentative): Judith Walzer Leavitt, Women and Health in America Deborah Kuhn McGregor, From Midwives to Medicine: The Birth of Gynecology Andrea Tone, Devices and Desires: A History of Contraceptives in America Packet of additional essays and articles.