In Professor Janet Gomez's course, Female Rulers from Antiquity to Today, students engaged in a multimedia research project where they documented the history, legacy, and impact of female rulers/leaders to demonstrate their understanding of what it means to be a female ruler/leader and communicate the significance of the ruler/leader.
Female rulers have existed since antiquity, and many have left lasting legacies that have been kept alive through iconic television series and films. While at times they may have done little to advance female rights, they nevertheless pushed the boundaries of what was socially acceptable for women at their time, all while navigating complex power dynamics, obstacles, and salacious scandals. In this course, we will explore what female leadership looks like, what challenges these rulers faced, and how they navigated a social, political, and military landscape dominated by men. We will analyze why we remain fascinated by their reigns today, and how their legacies still impact our modern world.