HIS 412 Sexuality and Reproductive Rights in American History

Fall/Spring

The June 2022 Dobbs decision overturned nearly 50 years of precedent, proclaiming that “the right to abortion is not deeply rooted in the Nation’s history and tradition.” This course will investigate this claim, examining the long history of reproductive rights and sexuality in the United States, from the colonial period to the present day. We will explore topics including sexual education, contraception, abortion, pregnancy, and childbirth. We will investigate the evolution of Americans’ ideas about intimacy, sexual behavior, sexual identity, and gender time. This course will provide an interdisciplinary examination of how gender is understood in different historical contexts. We will consider the impact of race, class, and gender on reproductive rights and sexuality. Ultimately, this course will enable students to understand the current and contentious status of sexuality and reproductive rights through engaging in historical discussion and inquiry.

3 credit hours