Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.17234/RadoviZHP.56.32
Women’s History of the Department of History (Summary)
Zrinka Nikolić Jakus
Ida Ograjšek Gorenjak
Abstract
This paper examines the development of interest in women’s history within the Department of History, focusing on the period from the 1990s onwards, when gender studies gained prominence in academic curricula across Western universities. The first part of the paper explores the introduction of elective courses on women’s history, the increasing number of theses addressing gender-related topics, and the gradual integration of women’s history themes into the syllabi of mandatory courses. Over the past two decades, journals published by the Department of History have also featured numerous articles on gender-related subjects, often facilitated by guest editors who have played a key role in advancing the field. Significantly, these developments have been shaped by broader transformations within Croatian historiography and society, with contributions from both male and female historians.
The second part of the paper examines the representation of women at the Department. Interest in studying history was already evident among the first female students enrolled at the Faculty of Humanities in the early 20th century. In fact, Milica pl. Bogdanović, the first woman to graduate and later obtain a doctorate from the Faculty, studied history and geography. Despite this, the Department of History did not follow the broader trend seen across the Faculty, where female students outnumbered male students by the end of the interwar period. Instead, there has been a relatively balanced gender distribution, with a slight male majority. The appointment of Nada Klaić as the first female faculty member marked a significant milestone, initiating the gradual inclusion of women in the Department’s academic staff as researchers and educators. Throughout the 20th century, the number of women in teaching positions increased slowly, with more noticeable growth occurring at the turn of the 21st century.
Keywords
women’s history; historiography; Department of History
Hrčak ID:
336390
URI
Publication date:
23.12.2024.
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