GENDERING WORLD HISTORY I

This course will broadly examine the historical issues of gender and power in the ancient world up to ca. 1500 CE. Most of ancient (and modern) history has been organized, ruled and written by males. Patriarchy became the norm, and was firmly set into place. But were women really as powerless as we might assume? This question challenges us to investigate and understand how gendered perceptions of social, economic, cultural, ideological, and political practices developed in ancient civilizations. We will explore the ways gendered participation in society was enhanced and limited by factors such as social status, ethnic and cultural ideologies, economic systems, religion, and political structures. Students will see the personal side of history through biographic and autobiographic evidence, and examine the how and why behind gender relations.