"My Body, My Choice"?: Reproductive Politics in the U.S. since Roe v. Wade

Catalog description

From waiting periods to mandatory ultrasounds, a record number of provisions aimed at restricting women's access to abortion were enacted in 24 U.S. states in 2011. Dubbed the "war on women" by numerous observers, these legislative battles evidence the difficulty in determining reproduction's "proper" place in governmental politics. But is there more to this battle than abortion? Beginning with Roe v. Wade, this course explores how welfare, labor, citizenship, the family, religion, and activism alter mainstream conceptions of reproductive politics. Using a variety of sources, including films and websites, we will consider what an expansive reproductive freedom might entail. Enrollment limited to 17 first year students and sophomores.