WMST 241 - Topics in the Construction of Gender

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

(Same as GRST 241, HIST 241 and STS 241) Topic for 2018/19a: The History of Midwifery. This course examines the history of midwifery from the ancient to the modern world. It considers the traditional roles of midwives as birth attendants, herbal healers, abortionists, therapists and confidants, and members of their communities. Major topics include childbirth practices in the ancient world, the division between gynecological care and obstetrics that occurred in the middle ages, midwives in the medieval Islamic world, the advent and professionalization of male midwives in the early modern period, the technologization of birth in the 20th century, and the modern-day cooperations and schisms between midwives and OBGYNs. Readings include medical manuals and treatises, diaries, fictionalized historical accounts, and legal writings. The course features guest lectures from a homebirth midwife, a nurse midwife, and a doctor. Tara Mulder.

Prerequisite(s): Prerequisite: WMST 130 or permission of the instructor.

May be repeated for credit if the topic has changed.

Two 75-minute periods.