Making sense of women’s lives : an introduction to women’s studies

Making Sense of Women's Lives presents a wide range of writings about women's lives in the United States. Michele Plott and Lauri Umansky have drawn on their experiences as both students and professors to assemble the collection. Seeking to provide as full a sampling from a diverse and intellectually vibrant field as one volume permits, the editors have also chosen writing that makes an enjoyable read. A few of the selections here represent the undisputed 'classics' of the field. More of them constitute simply the works, drawn from academic and nonacademic sources alike, that could make a difference in understanding what it means to be female in America. Making Sense of Women's Lives is intended as the primary text in Women's Studies courses. With that usage in mind, Plott and Umansky have provided brief introductions to each article to help students understand the author's perspectives. Thought and discussion questions follow each selection. The book contains, as well, numerous "Flash Exercises"--suggestions for class exercises and activities. The editors have used these activities in their courses over the past decade, in conjunction with readings in this volume, and have found that the full complement of materials coalesces into an intellectually powerful introduction to Women's Studies. A Collegiate Press book Introduction: Why women's studies? -- Part I: The life cycle: Making girls, making women -- "Girlfriends": friends and sisters -- Mothers and daughters -- Heart and home: the personal is political -- Women working -- Are there no great women artists? -- In sickness and in health -- Getting older -- Part II: Flashpoints: Reproductive rights -- The politics of inclusion -- Violence against women -- Debating sex -- Part III: How things should be.