Meanings of Motherhood: Legal and Historical Perspectives

This 3 credit course explores the shifting and contested meanings of motherhood as a legal and social role within American society and the American family. The materials track the role of motherhood from colonial times to the present, focus on the complex relationships between mothers, and such topics as custody, work, citizenship, sexuality, politics, race and class. We will look at these relationships by examining categories of mothers: birth mothers, immigrant mothers, unwed mothers, enslaved mothers, to name a few. Each class will focus on at least one woman in specific; some may be known to you, like Mamie Till, the mother of Emmett Till, or Cindy Sheehan, an anti-Iraq War activist who camped out at Pres. George W Bush’s ranch in protest. Others will become known to you, like Anne Orthwood, an indentured servant brought to Virginia in 1662 or a breastfeeding 1970s mother lost her child to Child Protective Services on that account. Over time, these mothers will form the core of a cadre of women whose experiences drew the attention of law and sometimes the public to create an understanding of what mothers are supposed to be like and what happens when they aren’t. Materials will be drawn from historical sources, legal texts and sociological studies.

Students are expected to turn in a 1-2 page commentary on the reading assignments each week, and a twenty-page research paper on a specific mother chosen by each student. The women’s history librarian will give a tutorial and otherwise be available to help with how to “choose a mother” and how to do basic. historical research. (We can have a discussion about when “history” begins, for purposes of the paper.) The 20 page paper may be used to fulfill the long or short writing requirement. More on the paper assignment during our first class.

Regular class attendance and participation is expected.