History of Feminism

Explore both the religious and secular roots of feminism before moving on to the 18th century and the French Revolution's role in expanding feminist ideas. Learn about the relationship between social reform and feminism, the “first wave feminism proper” and the role of the suffragettes and suffragists, Britain's women’s suffrage movement, and America’s “Cult of True Womanhood”.

Moving on to second-wave feminism, you’ll continue to explore women’s rights in America and Betty Friedan’s The Feminist Mystique, and the experiences of Black women and lesbians.

Examining the second wave in the UK, we’ll look at its roots in leftwing politics and the labour movement. You’ll also learn about the polarizing opinions around female sexuality and sexual activity that developed at this time.

The course discusses how third-wave feminism is tightly tied to American lawyer Anita Hill’s testimony against Clarence Thomas and the emergence of the Riot Grrrl punk subculture.

Finally, you will learn how fourth-wave feminism is characterised by the use of the internet and defined by major movements that occurred on social media, such as #MeToo.

By studying this course, you will:

• Discover the origins of feminism
• Learn what is meant by first, second, third and fourth-wave feminism
• Learn how feminism flourished differently in the UK and the US
• Explore the suffragist and suffragette movements and how the women’s vote was won
• Become familiar with the gains of second-wave feminism
• Understand how black feminism differed from white feminism in the US
• Understand what the sex wars were and who was involved
• Learn what Riot Grrrl culture had to do with feminism
• Examine modern feminism

People who would benefit from this course include those interested in studying history,  specifically women’s rights, politics and gender studies. It’ll provide a helpful foundation for a lifelong appreciation of all that the women who came before us did to achieve equality for today’s women and those who’ve yet to come.