An examination of the history of beliefs regarding the treatment of women, the Women’s Movement in the West, and international women’s issues today. Beginning in Ancient Crete, the course will discuss how ideas surrounding human nature and the human condition have led to social institutions and expectations which affect women’s experiences in relation to sexuality, gender, marriage, child rearing, education, religion, the legal system, economics, politics, and the relation between culture and nature. The last half of the class will focus on issues women face today, in particular the impact of race, class, ethnicity, post-colonialism, and economic globalization.
one RPH class or permission of the instructor.