About This Course

This course dives deep into the role of women in American history, particularly spotlighting their activism and achievements during the 20th century. Through the lens of Harvard's Schlesinger Library's 75th Anniversary Exhibit, Professors Laurel Ulrich and Jane Kamensky, along with other distinguished scholars, explore how women have historically leveraged education, technology, and art to drive societal change, address discrimination, and expand their roles both publicly and privately.

Course Description

Offered by HarvardX, this introductory level course on History covers the influence and contributions of women in 20th-century American history. Through examining ten iconic objects from the Schelsinger Library collection, the course illustrates the various ways women have initiated change and shaped historical narratives.

What Students Will Learn

• The impactful roles of ordinary people in driving change.
• The central role women have played in the unfolding of American history.
• An understanding of history as a complex, non-linear entity in continuous dialogue with the present.
• The narrative power of objects in history and how they represent significant changes.
• Critical insights into how historical narratives are formed based on which stories are chosen to be told.

Prerequisites or Skills Necessary

No prerequisites are needed for this course, making it accessible to anyone with an interest in history, particularly in the role of women in shaping historical contexts.

Course Coverage

• Analysis of key historical events and figures within the 20th-century women's rights movements.
• Exploration of archival materials to understand historical narratives.
• Study of the Schlesinger Library's 75th Anniversary Exhibit.
• Insights into how technological and artistic innovations have been utilized by women to push societal boundaries.

Who This Course Is For

This course is suitable for students, history enthusiasts, researchers, and anyone interested in understanding the significant impact of women in American history and how their roles have evolved over the century.

How Learners Can Use These Skills in the Real World

Learners can apply the insights gained from this course in various domains such as academia, public policy, community activism, and in personal development. The knowledge can foster a deeper appreciation of the role of diversity and inclusion in historical narratives and present-day society.