Sexuality Wmn's & Gndr Studies 406 - Women's Human Rights

(Offered as HIST 406 [C] and SWAG 406.) This course provides a historical overview of conflicts over women's roles in family, the economy and the body politic. It addresses gains women have made as well as challenges they face in relation to economic development, military conflict, domestic inequality, health, and religious and cultural beliefs. It will introduce students to a range of obstacles that have arisen--and continue to arise--in the struggle to ensure that women are treated as full and legitimate bearers of human rights.  Materials will include some of the significant feminist critiques of human rights activities that have emerged from this struggle as well as a range of comparative views of advances and setbacks to women's rights in Latin America, Asia, Africa, Europe, and the U.S.  Students will become familiar with important instruments, strategies, and movements intended to remedy the inequalities that affect women.  Students will be expected to write a substantial research paper and participate actively in class discussion.  One class meeting per week.

Admission with consent of instructor.  Limited to 15 students.  Not open to first-year students. Spring semester.  Professor Saxton.