HR388-6-SP-CO:
Becoming Modern: Women, Gender and Sexuality in 20th Century US History
2016/17
History
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
15
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Requisites for this module
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This module explores the history of sexuality in the United States in the modern era, with an emphasis on women. Beginning with background discussion of sexualities throughout the long nineteenth century, this module focuses on America's 'modern' era (circa, 1920s onwards) to explore the social construction of sexuality as reflective of the broader social, political, cultural, and economic concerns of U.S. society and culture in the twentieth century. Women's historical experiences are positioned as central to this module that emphasizes the diversity of the category of 'women.' Although the focus remains on women, this history studies the importance of the gender as a relational construct by investigating concepts of masculinity and manhood. In addition, this module considers the role of gender, race, class, immigrant status, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and the body as crucial sites for analysing the history of sexuality in Modern America. The shift from acceptance of the notion of women's 'passionlessness' to incremental recognition of women's sexual identities--as both political and personal--provides the framework for understanding this history. Additional topics to be addressed include; reproduction and reproductive rights; anti-miscegenation laws and interracial sexualities; systems of sexual control, expression and resistance; marriage, family and sex work; the rise of the New Woman; dating and popular culture; the Great Depression and sexually transmitted diseases; Cold War sexualities; Second Wave feminism; same-sex, bi and transsexualities, and the Second Sexual Revolution (1960s) and movements for sexual Liberation.
No information available.
No information available.
No additional information available.
One-hour seminar and one-hour lecture per week.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Essay 1 (2000 words) |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Essay 2 (3000 words) |
|
60% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Laila Haidarali
Belinda Waterman, Student Administrator, Department of History; belinda@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Prof Helen Jane Laville
The Manchester Metropolitan University
Pro-Vice Chancellor (Education)
Available via Moodle
Of 30 hours, 10 (33.3%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
20 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
History
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