This course is an introduction to historical interpretations of sex and gender, of changing views toward the supposed "nature" of women and men and their respective roles in society over the course of human history --  with an emphasis on the United States from the colonial period through the late twentieth century.  

This course will combine the study of important thinkers from Aristotle to Biblical scholars to Sigmund Freud to Michel Foucault with writings from ordinary and extraordinary Americans living under and adapting to the gender roles of their times.

Because ideas regarding gender have historically had the greatest impact on the lives of women (the "weaker" or "less noble" sex), this course will concentrate on women, but it will also cover issues related to masculinity as well as homosexuality and transgender/transexuality.

Inevitably, the focus of this course will tend toward that group which, in Western culture, has thought and written the most about gender issues -- the white, urban, protestant middle class.  However, this course will also strive to give voice to African Americans, the working class, farmers, non-Christians, and others for whom issues of gender tend to compete with race, class, and other concerns.

More information about Dr. Ditto is located on the Contact Info page of this site.