Women's Work: Gender and Capitalism in American History

This course examines the importance of women and gender to the long economic history of the United States. Whereas the history of American capitalism has often been a primarily male story, this course moves women from the margins of the narrative to the center. It asks how female labor (paid and unpaid), cultural norms around gender and family, and issues of sex and reproduction have fundamentally shaped economic life—not just for women, but for all Americans. Students will gain insight into American women’s history, the history of capitalism, and the intersectional history of gender, sexuality, race, and class.