James Madison University Department of Military Science MSCI 355-0001: American Women at War Normandy Allies England and Normandy International Studies Summer 2017 Course Syllabus Instructor: Ms. Amelia Underwood Phone: (540) 421-5650 Email: [email protected] 1. Course Description: US Military History and Women and Gender Studies: American Women and War 2. Course Objectives: This course invites students to engage a series of issues about the role of women in the United States military. Specifically, this study abroad course will examine the contributions and experiences of American military women who have served during World II. With onsite study in both London and Normandy, this course places particular emphasis on the role of military women in the planning and execution of the D-Day invasion and subsequent military actions aimed to liberate Europe during World War II. Students will draw comparisons between the experiences of American women from different racial, ethnic, and regional backgrounds while examining how women in military service, both past and present, are an instrument for societal change in America, specifically in promoting the cause of women’s rights. 3. Attendance: Attendance for all scheduled events is mandatory. 4. Grading Criteria: Assessment and grading will be based on your submitted written work and my evaluation of your participation and engagement during the program. Grades will be submitted upon submission of a final personal summation of your experience. A – Outstanding mastery of the subject with near flawless writing, interpretation, and presentation B – Well above average mastery of the subject, writing, interpretation, and presentation C - Comprehends basic subject with competent writing, interpretation, and presentation D - Unsatisfactory comprehension of the subject with effort and enthusiasm deserving a passing grade F - Failure Attendance/Participation 10% Writing Assignment Research Paper on selected topic 25% Presentation Assignment Oral Presentation- Research Paper 15% Writing Assignment Oral Presentation- Military Women Profile 15% Army Women’s Museum Visit Reflection Paper 20% Daily Journal 10% Personal Summation 5% 5. Course Readings: Students will be assigned readings from the following manuscripts. See our Canvas site Assignments page for links to the readings. Holm, Jeanne, Women in the Military: An Unfinished Revolution, Presidio Press, 1992. Meyer, Leisa D., Creating G.I. Jane: Sexuality and Power in the Women’s Army Corps during World War II, New York: Columbia University Press, 1996. 1 Moore, Brenda, L., Serving Our Country: Japanese American Women in the Military during World War II. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2003. Moore, Brenda, L. To Serve My Country, To Serve My Race: The Story of the Only African American WACs Stationed Overseas During World War II. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2003. Treadwell, Mattie, E., The United States Army in World War II Special Studies: The Women’s Army Corps, Publication 11-8, Washington, D.C., Center for Military History, 1954. We will also be collectively watching a number of videos pertaining to the topic of women in World War II (recruitment films, personal history interviews, etc.) These videos will be available on our Canvas site under the Pages tab. For additional background on the broader topic of the Operation Overlord/D-Day Operations, students may choose to read the following sources: ñ Overlord: D-Day and the Battle for Normandy (Max Hastings - 1984) ñ D-Day: June 6, 1944: The Battle of Normandy Beaches (Stephen Ambrose – 2002). 6. Research Topics: World War II stands as a watershed moment in the acceptance of American women into military service on a large scale. Students will be exploring the following topics: ñ What specific roles did American military women play and what were their significant contributions to the overall success of Operation Overlord/D-Day operations? ñ What obstacles did women face during this initial phase of gender integration of the American military institution in World War II? ñ How did the development and utilization of the Women’s Army Corps during World War II compare with the military mobilization of women in other nations during this period? ñ Did women in the military conform to gendered expectations of women’s participation in war? ñ In what ways did women soldiers demonstrate their femininity? Why was it important for them and others that they do so? ñ Why did American military officials place such importance on regulating and maintaining of women soldier’s sexuality during the World War II? ñ What were the experiences of African-American and Japanese women who served during this time of racial segregation of the military? How do these women’s war experiences contribute to the Civil Rights Movement in America in the post-World War II era? ñ How does our understanding of American warfare spanning the 20th and 21st centuries and the development of our American military institution change when viewed through the lens of gender, sex, race, and class? ñ How accurately has the historical record of American warfare reflected the contributions of women? 7. Course Assessments: 1) Research Paper and Oral Presentation: Students will select a research topic pertaining to the role of American military women in World War II (approved by instructor in advance) and will prepare a research paper on this topic. Additionally, students will prepare a power point presentation about their chosen subject to be presented to the group during the trip. The research paper will be due by 1 August 2017. Formatting Requirements: Research papers should be approximately 6 pages, double-spaced, in 12- point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins. You are expected to cite your sources using MLA formatting style. Assignment details and grading rubric are available on our Canvas site under the Assignments tab. 2) Students will also prepare a profile of an American military woman who has made a significant contribution during World War II. Students will research their individual and will make a 3-5 minute oral presentation to the group during the trip. Topics to be covered in the presentation include: a brief overview of the person’s life; accomplishments and obstacles/hardships faced; and the overall impact this 2 person has had on the institution of the military and society at large. Assignment details and grading rubric is available on our Canvas site under the Assignments tab. 3) Students will submit a personal reflection paper following our visit to the Army Women’s Museum in May 2017. This paper will be due by May 26 and should be approximately 2 pages and should capture the student’s impressions and significant take-aways from this visit. Assignment details and grading rubric are available on our Canvas site under the Assignments tab. 4) Each student will be required to maintain a daily journal of trip. 5) Additionally there will be a requirement for a personal reflection paper of the trip to be submitted by August 1, 2017. Assignment details and grading rubric are available on our Canvas site under the Assignments tab. NOTE: students should store their presentations, etc. on a personal flash drive to prevent any complications with internet access while on the trip. 8. Schedule: a. Pre-Trip Phase: Prior to our departure in May 2017 (exact date and time of field trip to be announced) we will be making a required class visit to the Army Women’s Museum located in Petersburg, VA. During this visit, students will receive an orientation to the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) as well as a hands-on visit of the museum’s archives and special collections pertaining to the WAC in World War II. b. Phase I: England (May 27-30) London itinerary includes the Cabinet War Rooms, HMS Belfast, Imperial War Museum, and Bletchley Park. The group embarks by ferry from Portsmouth for a morning arrival on the Normandy coast. c. Phase II: Normandy (May 31-June 8) Lodging in Bayeux, Grandcamp-Maisy, and Saint-Lô. The itinerary includes: Omaha, Utah, Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches; the American Cemeteries at Colleville and Saint James; Graignes, La Fière, Sainte-Mère-Eglise and the Airborne Museum; Saint-Lô and the bocage; Pointe du Hoc, Chateau Colombières and the marshes, Arromanches, Longues s/Mer, Pegasus Bridge, Abbaye d’Ardenne, Bayeux Tapestry, Bayeux Cathedral, Mont St. Michel, and more Transfer to Paris late June 8, with departures on June 9. 9. Electronic Device Policy: Electronic devices are encouraged for personal use as well as documenting the trip. Be advised the converters will be necessary while traveling abroad. 10. Add / Drop / Withdrawal Deadlines: JMU policy for withdrawal from any International Studies Program is as follows: a. More than 45 days before the trip departure date - Forfeit deposit b. 45 days or less before the trip departure date - Forfeit 50% of the program fee, which includes the deposit c. 30 days or less before the trip departure date - Forfeit 100% of the program fee, which includes the deposit d. After the departure date - Forfeit 100% of the program fee, which includes the deposit, tuition based on the required term load, and room and board for the program. 10. Disabilities Accommodations: a. If you need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability, you should contact the Office of Disability Services (Wilson Hall, Room 107, www.jmu.edu/ods, 540-568-6705) if you have not previously done so. Disability Services will provide you with an Access Plan Letter that will verify your need for services and make recommendations for accommodations to be used in the classroom. Once you have presented me with this letter, you and I will sit down and review the course requirements, your disability characteristics, and your requested accommodations to develop an individualized plan, b. JMU abides by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, which mandate reasonable accommodations be provided for students with documented disabilities.