Course Description. Not until 1928 did all women in the UK over the age of 21 have the right to vote, despite repeated calls for suffrage. Women in the workplace have long faced discrimination in pay and conditions as well as discrimination based on race. Even worse, some women face abuse at the hands of spouses and others. In this course we will discuss five fiction films from the US, England and Australia that depict historical examples of injustice towards women. Through guided class discussion supplemented with additional material, we will explore the group dynamics of protest as well as the historical events depicted in each film. Using feature films plus supplemental material, the course aims to help class members understand historical events of injustice and unfairness. The course will encourage class members to think about the strategies and timeline for challenging injustice in society, the workplace and in communities.

The films will be discussed in the chronological order of the events depicted,starting with “Suffragettes” (2015) and ending with “Women Talking” (2022). The exact order is listed below under Course Materials. The films are 90-120 minutes long each. The additional reading or viewing each week is under 30 minutes.

Homework for each week and additional readings will be posted on a course website. A link will be sent by the instructor.

Required course materials. The class will be expected to watch each film and some supporting material as homework. There will also be optional additional reading. The films should all be available on a popular streaming platform and/or YouTube for free or for a small fee. The films are: Suffragette (2015); Hidden Figures (2016); Made in Dagenham (2010); The Sapphires (2012); and Women Talking (2022).

Preparation for First Class. Watch “Suffragette” and any other homework online for Week 1.

Women Fighting Injustice: 5 films