Gender in World History (3^rd Ed.) Themes in World History Series

Covering societies from classical times to the twenty-first century, Gender in World History is a fascinating exploration of what happens to established ideas about men, women, and gender roles when different cultural systems come into contact. The book breaks new ground to facilitate a consistent approach to gender in a world history context.

Now in its third edition, the book has been thoroughly updated, including:

• expanded treatment of Africa under Islamic influence
• expanded discussion of southeast Asia
• a new chapter on contemporary Latin America
• representations of individual women
• engagement with recent work on gender history and theory.

With truly global coverage, this book enables students to understand how gender roles have varied across the world and over time, and the vital role of gender in structuring social and political relationships. Providing a succinct, current overview of the history of gender throughout the world, Gender in World History remains essential reading for students of world history.

Introduction

PART I

Agricultural Societies

1 The Traditional Framework: Agriculture, Patriarchy, Civilizations

2 Early Contacts: Influences from cultural diversity

3 Buddhism and Chinese women

4 Islamic Standards Outside the Heartland: Changes and continuities in India and sub-Saharan Africa

5 The Chinese Influence

Conclusion of Part I: Gender and contacts in agricultural societies

PART II

New Patterns of Contact, 1500-1900

6 Europeans and Native Americans

7 Men and Women amid British Imperialism in India

8 Western influences and regional reactions: Polynesia and Africa

9 Reform movements and gender: Beyond the colonial models

Conclusion of Part II: Gender contact amid rising world trade

PART III

The Contemporary World

10 Immigration as culture contact

11 New international influences: Feminism and Marxism

12 Contact and retract: The Middle East in the contemporary era

13 Latin America: The role of contact in basic change

14 Global consumer culture: The question of impact

15 Globalization and resistance

Conclusion of Part III: Gender and contacts in modern societies

Epilogue

Big picture: From patriarchy to new debate: the role of contacts in the evolution of gender

Peter N. Stearns is Provost Emeritus and Professor of History at George Mason University. He is the author of many books, including World History: The Basics, and The Industrial Revolution in World History.