Serene Williams and Kristen Kelly have written a full length proposal for an AP U.S. Women’s History course. View the full proposal here

WAPUSH Course Themes:

Violence Against Women, Pacifism and War (VWPW): Throughout American history, women have been subject to both private and state sanctioned violence. They have utilized a variety of formal and informal methods to protect themselves and one another against violence. They have also been at the forefront of peace movements and have served active roles in war.

Women’s Activism (WA): Women have utilized a wide variety of strategies to demonstrate agency and challenge male authority throughout American history. Women have also contributed to the pursuit of equality with men, even as they worked to define it in different ways

Women’s Experiences (WE): Women have not had a monolithic experience; their lives have been impacted by intersecting identities including race, class, gender, ability, sexuality, religion, region and age.

Women’s Labor, Industry and Technology (WLIT): Women have played major roles in the development of American industry and technology and have been impacted by physical and emotional labor

Indigenous Societies (IW): Indigenous women had agency in the Americas before colonization which predated the women’s movement. European colonization and expansion of coverture led to a decline of women’s rights. Indigenous women have persevered throughout American history to overcome adversity.

Women and American Culture (WAC): It is essential to understand the significant role of women in the formation of American culture, including religion, health, art, psychology, and literature, to better understand the development of the United States

Women and the World (WW): Transnational connections amongst women have existed since the early modern era and intensified through the 21st century through technology, globalization, cultural exchange, and international organizations