Synopses & Reviews
This stimulating volume presents an overview of key gender theories and debates, tracing the development of gender as an analytic category in the writing of history. Covering a broad timespan, Kent makes the origins, concepts and methods of gender history accessible to students, showing how they can use gender in their own historical studies.
Synopsis
What is gender and who has it? History, theory and gender are inextricably linked, but how exactly do they fit together? How do
historians use theories about gender to write history?
In this jargon-free introduction, Susan Kingsley Kent presents a student-friendly guide to the origins, conceptual framework, subjectmatter and methods of gender history. Assuming no prior knowledge, Gender and History:
- Sets out clear definitions of theory, history and gender
- Explains that gender is not solely applicable to women, but to men as well
- Tackles the hotly debated topic of power and gender relations
- Explores gender history from a variety of angles, including anthropology, psychology and philosophy
- Spans a broad chronological period, from the times of Aristotle to the present day
- Includes a helpful glossary that explains key terms and concepts at a glance
Lively and approachable, this is an essential text for anyone who wishes to learn how to use theories of gender in their historical studies.
About the Author
SUSAN KINGSLEY KENT is Professor and Chair of the Department of History at the University of Colorado. She is the author of Sex and Suffrage in Britain, 1860-1914, Gender and Power in Britain, 1660-1990 and Aftershocks: Politics and Trauma in Britain, 1918-1931.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction: History, Theory, Gender: What Are They? Who Has Them?
PART I: THEORIZING GENDER
Woman: From the Deficient Male to the Incommensurate Female
The Feminist Challenge: 'One is Not Born a Woman'
PART II: GENDER HISTORY
The Road to 'Gender'
Theorizing Gender and Power
PART III: DOING IT
Writing Gender History: War and Feminism, 1914-1930
Conclusion: Where We Go From Here
Glossary
Notes
Further Reading
Index