Spring 2007

WGS 340 • Women and Gender in East Europe

Course Description

This undergraduate seminar provides an exploration of the experiences, activities, and roles of women in East European society in historical perspective. We will also explore the meaning of "gender", and when possible, look at historical works on gender images, roles, and relations in the East European context. With an emphasis on reading, discussion, and critical writing, we will examine various periods with a focus on the twentieth century -- the Second World War, the Communist and post-Communist periods. We will look at a range of women's lives and roles from the highest circles of power to the margins of east European society, in peace and in war, in the home and in public life. There will be readings on women from various classes, ethnic groups and political orientations. Considerable time will be devoted to an analysis of how various east European societies and regimes viewed women (as well as men) and to what extent they attempted and were successful at manipulating womens roles in production, consumption and reproduction. We will also touch upon such disparate themes as gender and violence, everyday life, modernity, dress, and resistance.

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