Notes literature Feminist Classics
Tjitske Akkerman and Siep Stuurman (1998) – Introduction: Feminism in European History ....2
Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2
Short summary of the text ....................................................................................................................4
Summary of the text .............................................................................................................................6
Introduction......................................................................................................................................6
Feminism and the history of political thought .................................................................................7
Inventing a tradition or recovering suppressed evidence? ...............................................................8
From the late middle ages to the onset of the enlightenment ..........................................................8
Enlightenment feminism ................................................................................................................10
The nineteenth century: utopian feminism ....................................................................................12
The nineteenth century: liberal feminism ......................................................................................13
Contemporary feminism(s) ............................................................................................................14
Feminism, modernity and European history ..................................................................................15
,Tjitske Akkerman and Siep Stuurman (1998) – Introduction: Feminism in
European History
Akkerman,Tjitske & Siep Stuurman, ‘Introduction: Feminism in European History’ in, idem
(eds) Perspectives on Feminist Political Thought in European History, London/New York:
1998, pp. 1-33.
Key concepts
Historical Evolution of European Feminism
- This concept explores the development of feminism in Europe over time, highlighting
key historical figures and periods.
o Christine de Pisan: A prominent 15th-century French writer known for her early
feminist advocacy.
o Periodization of European Feminism: Examines how feminism is divided into
distinct waves or periods, highlighting late-medieval and Renaissance feminism,
rationalist feminism, Enlightenment feminism, utopian feminism, liberal
feminism, and contemporary feminism.
o Comprehensive Definition of Feminism: Discusses a broader definition of
feminism that encompasses critique of misogyny, belief in women’s
adaptability, and the cultivation of gender group identity.
o Fluidity of Feminist Identities: Recognizes that feminist identities have evolved
and changed throughout history.
o Feminist Discourse and Political Thought: Explores feminism’s interaction with
political thought, including concepts like autonomy, liberty, and equality.
o Reconstruction of Feminist Historical Memory: Examines feminist efforts to
recover and reconstruct their historical tradition.
o Contextual Approach: Advocates for studying feminist ideas in their historical,
cultural, and intellectual contexts.
Feminism’s Interplay with Cultural and Political Discourses
- This concept delves into how feminism engaged with and influenced various cultural
and political movements.
o Enlightenment and Protestant Influences: Highlights the influence of the
Enlightenment and Protestantism on feminist thought.
, o Utopian-Socialist Feminism: Explores early 19th-century feminist movements
with socialist ideals.
o Liberal Feminism: Examines the emergence of feminism rooted in liberal reform
movements.
o Diversity Within 19th-Century Feminism: Acknowledges variations and
diversity in 19th-century feminist movements.
Contemporary Feminism
- Focuses on modern feminism, addressing its diversity and evolution.
o Egalitarian Individualism: Emphasizes the emphasis on equality among
individuals within contemporary feminism.
o Identity Politics and Postmodern Fluidity: Discusses how contemporary
feminism explores individual identity and personal authenticity.
Challenging Historical Misogyny
- Explores how feminism challenged historical prejudices against women.
o Medieval and Renaissance Feminism: Examines early feminist voices during
these periods.
o Enlightenment Challenge to Misogyny: Highlights feminist challenges to the
more ‘scientific’ forms of sexism in the Enlightenment.
o ‘Scientific’ Sexism: Discusses how feminists challenged claims of scientific
superiority over women.
Comparative Perspectives
- Considers feminism in Europe in comparison to other regions and contexts.
o Feminism Beyond Europe: Explores feminism’s presence and characteristics
outside of Europe.
o Comparative Studies: Advocates for studying European feminism in a global
context, acknowledging similarities and differences.
Feminism’s Role in Shaping European History
- Examines feminism’s influence on broader European historical and societal
developments.
o Feminism’s Role in Democratic Culture: Discusses how feminism played a role
in shaping democratic culture.
o Feminist Thought in Contemporary Transformations: Highlights feminism’s
impact on contemporary societal changes.
Tjitske Akkerman and Siep Stuurman (1998) – Introduction: Feminism in European History ....2
Key concepts ........................................................................................................................................2
Short summary of the text ....................................................................................................................4
Summary of the text .............................................................................................................................6
Introduction......................................................................................................................................6
Feminism and the history of political thought .................................................................................7
Inventing a tradition or recovering suppressed evidence? ...............................................................8
From the late middle ages to the onset of the enlightenment ..........................................................8
Enlightenment feminism ................................................................................................................10
The nineteenth century: utopian feminism ....................................................................................12
The nineteenth century: liberal feminism ......................................................................................13
Contemporary feminism(s) ............................................................................................................14
Feminism, modernity and European history ..................................................................................15
,Tjitske Akkerman and Siep Stuurman (1998) – Introduction: Feminism in
European History
Akkerman,Tjitske & Siep Stuurman, ‘Introduction: Feminism in European History’ in, idem
(eds) Perspectives on Feminist Political Thought in European History, London/New York:
1998, pp. 1-33.
Key concepts
Historical Evolution of European Feminism
- This concept explores the development of feminism in Europe over time, highlighting
key historical figures and periods.
o Christine de Pisan: A prominent 15th-century French writer known for her early
feminist advocacy.
o Periodization of European Feminism: Examines how feminism is divided into
distinct waves or periods, highlighting late-medieval and Renaissance feminism,
rationalist feminism, Enlightenment feminism, utopian feminism, liberal
feminism, and contemporary feminism.
o Comprehensive Definition of Feminism: Discusses a broader definition of
feminism that encompasses critique of misogyny, belief in women’s
adaptability, and the cultivation of gender group identity.
o Fluidity of Feminist Identities: Recognizes that feminist identities have evolved
and changed throughout history.
o Feminist Discourse and Political Thought: Explores feminism’s interaction with
political thought, including concepts like autonomy, liberty, and equality.
o Reconstruction of Feminist Historical Memory: Examines feminist efforts to
recover and reconstruct their historical tradition.
o Contextual Approach: Advocates for studying feminist ideas in their historical,
cultural, and intellectual contexts.
Feminism’s Interplay with Cultural and Political Discourses
- This concept delves into how feminism engaged with and influenced various cultural
and political movements.
o Enlightenment and Protestant Influences: Highlights the influence of the
Enlightenment and Protestantism on feminist thought.
, o Utopian-Socialist Feminism: Explores early 19th-century feminist movements
with socialist ideals.
o Liberal Feminism: Examines the emergence of feminism rooted in liberal reform
movements.
o Diversity Within 19th-Century Feminism: Acknowledges variations and
diversity in 19th-century feminist movements.
Contemporary Feminism
- Focuses on modern feminism, addressing its diversity and evolution.
o Egalitarian Individualism: Emphasizes the emphasis on equality among
individuals within contemporary feminism.
o Identity Politics and Postmodern Fluidity: Discusses how contemporary
feminism explores individual identity and personal authenticity.
Challenging Historical Misogyny
- Explores how feminism challenged historical prejudices against women.
o Medieval and Renaissance Feminism: Examines early feminist voices during
these periods.
o Enlightenment Challenge to Misogyny: Highlights feminist challenges to the
more ‘scientific’ forms of sexism in the Enlightenment.
o ‘Scientific’ Sexism: Discusses how feminists challenged claims of scientific
superiority over women.
Comparative Perspectives
- Considers feminism in Europe in comparison to other regions and contexts.
o Feminism Beyond Europe: Explores feminism’s presence and characteristics
outside of Europe.
o Comparative Studies: Advocates for studying European feminism in a global
context, acknowledging similarities and differences.
Feminism’s Role in Shaping European History
- Examines feminism’s influence on broader European historical and societal
developments.
o Feminism’s Role in Democratic Culture: Discusses how feminism played a role
in shaping democratic culture.
o Feminist Thought in Contemporary Transformations: Highlights feminism’s
impact on contemporary societal changes.
