HIST 379 Women in Modern EuropePrimary Source Assignments

Identifying primary sources:

Look at the sources that the historians we’re reading use. Pay attention to their notes. Follow up people who strike you as interesting. If you find Petra Kelly, leader of the

West German Green Party interesting (week 13), you might enjoy reading one of her essays. An author search produces a translation of her Thinking Green: Essays on Environmentalism, Feminism, and Non-Violence.

Check the History of Women microfilm collection. Several hundred reels of microfilm contain texts in a variety of languages (including plenty in English) on women’s history. Search the collection via an advanced keyword search:

o Starting at Library front page (library.sc.edu), click on link for “Advanced Search” below the “Classic Catalog” search box:

o In first search box, enter this phrase in quotation marks: “history of women reel”

o In 2nd search box, enter keyword (or words) for your topic, then click “Submit”

o You can limit your search to items written in English and / or to things published in a particular date range or in a specific place

o Add search words as needed to refine your search to get more focused results:

o The History of Women Microfilm collection is housed in the Government Information and Maps Department on Level 5. A print guide to the collection is available there, which provides another means to identify relevant content: History of Women, Guide to the Microfilm Collection Z7965 .H577 1983b

o Following these instructions, I searched for “history of women reel” and “education.” I limited the search to material written in English between 1750 and 1950 and published in Dublin, because I’m especially interested in Ireland. I got three citations from the History of Women microfilm collection:

Statement of the proceedings from 1892 to 1895, in connexion with the movement for the admission of women, and correspondence in reference thereto published by Trinity College, Dublin, in 1895

The Ursuline manual of a collection of prayers, spiritual exercises , published by an Ursuline Convent in Dublin in 1846

Mrs. Wollstonecraft's thoughts on the education of daughters. With reflections on female conduct, in the more important duties of life – an Irish edition of some of the works of Mary Wollstonecraft published in 1788

These books would work well to answer questions for week 5 on women’s work and / or week 6 on women’s leisure. As you read them, think about what women were being educated for: work? motherhood?

o Think creatively about search terms: employment? sewing? socialism? ** Choosing your source is as important as writing the paper for this exercise.** You

will find it difficult to write your paper if you haven’t chosen your source thoughtfully. Make sure that you know what you’re reading – who wrote the document, when, and for what purpose.

One of your sources may originate on-line; the other should come from the print or microfilm collections in the library.

** If you’re not sure whether or not a document is a primary source, ask me.** You might also want to ask a librarian for help: you can book an appointment with a

librarian here: http://library.sc.edu/reference/bookalibrarian.html or ask questions by phone (803-777-4866) or email (uscref@mailbox.sc.edu).

Writing your paper:

Your paper will describe the document (be sure to include the author, date of production, purpose for which the document was produced). You should also give me information about the location of the source (mostly likely a library call number or a URL).

Secondly, your paper will also analyze the document: what answers to the weekly question does the source suggest?)

Your paper will be 2-3 pages, double-spaced, with 1-inch margins and 12-point type. You should also turn in a photocopy of your document (no more than 4-5 pages; if it’s

longer, choose the most interesting section). You may choose any week’s topic for this exercise, but you must have completed at least

one exercise by spring break.