Spring 2010

WGS 345 • WOMEN IN SICKNESS AND HEALTH-W

Course Description

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.

back