REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND POLITICS IN U.S. HISTORY
Introduction to the history of reproductive health and politics in the United States from the late 19th century through the present using a range of sources, including primary source documents, films, historical analyses, and contemporary news coverage. Topics include reproductive experiences under slavery, the professionalization of obstetrics and gynecology, midwifery, the criminalization of abortion, the eugenics movement, reproductive freedom and justice movements, population control, and assisted reproductive technologies.
Topics
- reproductive experiences under slavery
- the professionalization of obstetrics and gynecology
- midwifery
- the criminalization of abortion
- the eugenics movement
- reproductive freedom and justice movements
- population control
- and assisted reproductive technologies
Topics explicitly listed in official catalogue description
Prerequisites & course information
Requisites: MED SC-M 810 , 811 , 812 , and 813 Course Designation: Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Fall 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Analyze contemporary issues and debates in reproductive politics using historical context. Audience: Graduate 2. Summarize how reproductive experiences have been shaped by categories of social difference. Audience: Graduate 3. Describe the clinical relevance of the laws and public policies that influence reproductive health, medical care, and autonomy. Audience: Graduate 4. Explain the historical links between medical understandings of reproduction in the past and contemporary approaches to reproductive medicine. Audience: Graduate 5. Critically analyze the role medical professionals have played in shaping reproductive experiences and decisions historically. Audience: Graduate 6. Articulate the differences between different paradigms of reproductive politics, including reproductive choice, reproductive rights, and reproductive justice. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Analyze contemporary issues and debates in reproductive politics using historical context. Audience: Graduate 2. Summarize how reproductive experiences have been shaped by categories of social difference. Audience: Graduate 3. Describe the clinical relevance of the laws and public policies that influence reproductive health, medical care, and autonomy. Audience: Graduate 4. Explain the historical links between medical understandings of reproduction in the past and contemporary approaches to reproductive medicine. Audience: Graduate 5. Critically analyze the role medical professionals have played in shaping reproductive experiences and decisions historically. Audience: Graduate 6. Articulate the differences between different paradigms of reproductive politics, including reproductive choice, reproductive rights, and reproductive justice. Audience: Graduate
Sources
- Course catalogue ↗2026-2027