View source for Reading Questions/comments

I don't think the reading covered this so i was curious if anyone else knew- How did the study of women specifically in history begin? did it begin with the feminist movements?- Elizabeth

--Not sure if this is really what you're looking for but I believe Gerda Lerner started the first(?) women's history department at the University of Wisconsin...which would make it somewhat linked to the feminist movements, but partially independent?--Andrea

Why would the feminist movement be thought of as damaging to Women's Studies? I would think that it would be a positive thing so that women can see where they've been and how they could advance. - Elizabeth

--I really liked this question, the first thing I can think of is feminism has traditionally had less respect and interest in traditional women's roles as homemakers, etc. --Andrea

I didn't realize that so many different groups identified themselves as "American" women, like the Cherokees. While I think the four major bolded themes in the Haulman essay are useful, they are also major themes in Gender Studies and Women's Studies. In the History of U.S. Sexuality, we are reading nature vs. culture/constructionist vs. essentialist essays, and I believe Haulman's part 1 addresses important issues like mannerisms and hobbies, which I haven't seen articulated as well elsewhere. Unfortunately, I agree with the vicious cycle Haulman identifies on p. 11, whereby women's efforts to be more historically recognized and gain rights limited them. --Andrea