GCS 412 Special Topics: American Masculinity
Considers sex, gender and masculinity in America, 17th century (Indian Wars and Witch Trials), the late 18th century (Revolution and Early Republic) and the late 19th century (Industrialization, Empire and the Boy Scouts), with some stops in between. In considering masculinity in American history, we will examine topics such as citizenship, politics, the meaning of work, the nature of family, and the importance of war. In the process, we will be developing critical analytical skills as well as historical knowledge. More importantly, we will be considering the ways in which the construction and meaning of American masculinity has changed over time. While constructions of gender, and masculinity in particular, have often been taken to be constant, we will discover that they have in fact been constantly evolving, and in rather remarkable ways. This course will trace some of those developments.
Cross Listed Courses
ENGL 412
Prerequisite
None