26015 - Women's Movements Worldwide - I Movimenti delle Donne nel Mondo

Learning outcomes

The student possesses an in-depth knowledge of feminist historiography and of the origin of women's history in different cultural contexts and acquires methodological tools that will allow him to research autonomously in these areas.

Course contents

This module explores the history of women, gender relations, feminism and women’s movements in the contemporary age. Through lectures and critical reading of original sources, the course traces the evolution of feminist thought from its early foundations to the contemporary debates. Students are asked to examine how theories and practices responded to changing contexts, including industrialisation, capitalism and globalisation. The module critically analyses the path to women’s emancipation and the construction of female citizenship and how it has not been singular movement but rather a dynamic and ongoing phenomenon, whose changes and continuities have been, and still are, shaped by specific experiences of different communities and cultural environments. The many facets of feminism and of women’s movements will be examined by considering the national and transnational experiences, reflecting on the goals, achievements and ongoing challenges of today.

The module aims to foster critical thinking, cross-cultural awareness and commitment to engage with feminist ideas beyond academia.

 

 

Students with SLD or temporary or permanent disabilities. It is suggested that they get in touch as soon as possible with the relevant University office (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en) and with the lecturer in order to seek together the most effective strategies for following the lessons and/or preparing for the examination.

Readings/Bibliography

Bonnie Smith (ed.), Global Feminism since 1945 (Routledge, 2000).

Maud Anne Bracke, Women and the Reinvention of the Political: Feminism in Italy, 1968-1983 (Routledge, 2014).

Nancy Fraser, Fortunes of Feminism (Verso, 2013).

Perry Willson, Women in Twentieth Century Italy (Palgrave, 2009).

Teaching methods

-Lectures

-Seminars with discussion and critical analysis of documents.

Assessment methods

Students are asked to actively participate in lectures and seminars.

Assessment methods:

-Attending students

Students are asked to attend lectures and seminars, to prepare 1 book from the reading list + study the slides upload after classes + 1 written paper (the topic should be approved by the professor by April 30th, 2026)  

-Not attending students

Oral examination on 2 books chosen from the reading list.

 

Office hours

See the website of Sara Delmedico