This assignment is a fun way to bring the course's chronology into the present
and show students continuities between the past and their own historical moment.
Most of the students bring in interesting sources. Advertisements and song lyrics
are popular choices. Students have also brought in toys, recipes, sports equipment.
One male student came to class in drag to highlight the social construction of
gender. What is intellectually exciting for the class (and me) is making the connections
between the sources and the themes of women's history. Again, the students are
encouraged to try on the role of historian.