L8&L9:World War TwoEquality and Hierarchy: Women’s

ExperienceAgenda

Objective:To understand…1. The experiences of

women during World War Two.

2. How women’s lives and sense of self changed as a result of the war.

Schedule: 3. Film: The Life and

Times of Rosie the Riveter

4. Whole Class Discussion

Homework:1. Consult Unit

Schedule for Background Reading

2. Women’s History Paper “Puzzle/Problem/Question” Due (Tan = Fri 12/14; Red & Blue = Mon 12/17)

3. Junior Thesis Topic Notes & Proposed Areas of Focus Due (Tan & Red = Tues 12/18; Blue = Wed 12/19)

The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter• Documentary produced in 1980 about American

women who went to work during World War Two in traditionally male dominated jobs.

• Talks about their experiences during and after the war, as well as gives attention to society’s conception of women’s work during and after the war.• The film’s title refers to “Rosie the Riveter”– the cultural icon representing women who worked in manufacturing during World War Two.

Discussion!• What were women’s war experiences?• How were traditional understandings of

gender used to justify women’s participation in traditionally male dominated roles?

• What effect did the war have on women’s (and society’s) view of gender?

• What happened to women after the war?