HIST 271 Herstory: Women in European Culture

This seminar will focus on the various ways exceptional women made their mark over the course of Western civilization. We will examine women in Antiquity the Middle Ages the Renaissance the Enlightenment the French Revolution the Romantic period and the 20th century. Examples of outstanding female contributions will be drawn from literature the arts the sciences philosophy and politics. We will do intensive readings of primary texts by and about these women. Students will choose particular individuals to study and research in depth and in the context of their period. Open to sophomores and juniors only.