Women's Rights History: Colonial Era to Civil War
This course is part of Women Have Always Worked.
This course examines the rich history of women in America from the Colonial Period to the Civil War, focusing on their changing roles, rights, and societal contributions. Students will explore the emergence of women's history as an academic field and its impact on historical study. The curriculum covers diverse experiences of women, including enslaved women, indentured servants, and rural housewives, examining how they navigated social constraints and fought for individual rights. The course analyzes the transformation of women's roles through industrialization, their participation in the American Revolution, and the emergence of organized women's rights movements.
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What you'll learn
Understand the development of women's history as an academic field
Analyze the intersection of race, class, and gender in women's work
Examine gender dynamics and institutions in Colonial America
Evaluate women's roles in the American Revolution
Understand the origins of separate spheres ideology
Trace the emergence of women's political activism and rights movements
Skills you'll gain
This course includes:
PreRecorded video
Graded assignments, exams
Access on Mobile, Tablet, Desktop
Limited Access access
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Module Description
This comprehensive course explores women's history in America from the Colonial Period to the Civil War. The curriculum examines how women's roles evolved, focusing on their struggles for individual rights and economic independence. Students learn about diverse experiences across different social classes and racial backgrounds, including enslaved women and indentured servants. The course covers key topics such as women's participation in the American Revolution, the emergence of separate spheres ideology, and the development of organized women's rights movements. Special attention is given to how economic and social changes influenced family dynamics and women's ability to organize politically.
Fee Structure
Individual course purchase is not available - to enroll in this course with a certificate, you need to purchase the complete Professional Certificate Course. For enrollment and detailed fee structure, visit the following: Women Have Always Worked
Instructors
Innovating Education Through Technology and Pedagogy
The Columbia University Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) is a comprehensive resource dedicated to enhancing teaching and learning across Columbia University. The CTL partners with faculty, students, and colleagues to support excellence and innovation in education through a wide range of programs, services, and resources. Their offerings include teaching consultations, workshops, technology training, and online courses. The CTL promotes inclusive, learner-centered, and research-based pedagogy while supporting the use of new media and emerging technologies in classrooms and online learning environments. Their course offerings on edX cover diverse topics including Crisis Resource Management, a multi-part series on the Civil War and Reconstruction era, Fighting for Equality: 1950-2018, and a series on women's labor history titled "Women Have Always Worked." Through these initiatives, the CTL aims to foster professional development, curricular enhancement, and academic excellence for Columbia's instructors and students.
5 Courses
Eminent Scholar of American Labor History and Women's Studies
Alice Kessler-Harris, the R. Gordon Hoxie Professor of American History Emerita at Columbia University, is a preeminent scholar in American labor history and women's studies. Her groundbreaking research focuses on the history of American labor, 20th-century social policy, and women's work. Kessler-Harris is acclaimed for seminal works such as "In Pursuit of Equity" and "Out to Work," which have significantly shaped understanding of women's roles in the workforce and American socioeconomic landscape. Her leadership extends beyond academia, having served as president of major historical associations and currently as Vice President of the Society of American Historians. An elected member of prestigious scholarly societies, Kessler-Harris continues to influence the field through her teaching, including courses on "Fighting for Equality: 1950-2018" and the "Women Have Always Worked" XSeries at Columbia. Her work not only illuminates the historical experiences of working women but also contributes to broader discussions on gender, labor, and social policy in America
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Frequently asked questions
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