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Papers by Susan Rensing

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.

Journal of Women's Health, 2021

Background: With the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application (MMRIA) data system, the C... more Background: With the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application (MMRIA) data system, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alongside Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), are developing comprehensive and uniform data collection to eradicate preventable maternal deaths. However, MMRIA is primarily focused on pregnancy-related deaths, and not pregnancy-associated deaths. Currently, the National Violent Death Reporting System Restricted Access Data (NVDRS-RAD) on pregnancy-associated homicides and suicides are not included in MMRIA and by extension the work of most MMRCs. This study examined the NVDRS-RAD data from 2014 to 2017 and argues that the data for pregnancy-associated maternal deaths should be integrated into the work of MMRCs. Methods: A secondary data analysis of the NVDRS-RAD from 2014 to 2017 was conducted. Pregnancy-associated mortality was identified using data available within the NVDRS-RAD and categorized according to period of pregnancy and manner of death. Descriptive statistics and risk ratios were calculated. Chi-square tests were also calculated. Results: The results indicate that pregnancy and the postpartum period show increased risk for homicide and suicide. Pregnant women were found to be five times more likely to die by homicide than their nonpregnant peers who died by violent means. The relationships between periods of pregnancy and manner of death were all found to be significantly associated although the association was weak. Conclusions: Integrating National Violent Death Reporting System data on pregnancy-associated deaths into MMRIA would improve the efficacy of MMRCs and address the intertwined risk factors driving the racial disparities of the United States' maternal mortality rate.

A Guide to Teaching Introductory Women's and Gender Studies: Socially Engaged Classrooms, 2021

This book provides a practical, evidence-based guide to teaching introductory Women's and Gen... more This book provides a practical, evidence-based guide to teaching introductory Women's and Gender Studies courses. Based on the findings of a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning project that analyzed 72 Intro students’ written work, the authors equip instructors with key principles that can help them adapt their pedagogy to a range of classroom environments. By putting student learning at the center of course design, the authors invite readers to reflect on their own investments in and goals for the introductory course. The book also draws on the authors’ combined decades of teaching experience, and aims to help instructors anticipate the emotional, intellectual, and interpersonal challenges and rewards of teaching and learning in the introductory WGS course. Chapters focus on course design, including identifying desired learning outcomes (in terms of course content, skills, and dispositions or habits of mind); choosing course materials; pedagogical activities; and assessing stu...

This article traces the fierce public debate surrounding Wisconsin’s eugenic marriage law. ... more This article traces the fierce public debate surrounding Wisconsin’s eugenic marriage law. Wisconsin made national headlines with the passage of this law in 1913, which was called a ‘radical’ change to the institution of marriage. Eugenic marriage laws were a crucial component of the American eugenics movement, but have received less historical attention than involuntary sterilization laws. Wisconsin’s law faced intense opposition from the medical community and the Catholic Church, but survived several attempts to undo it. Debate about eugenic marriage also triggered discussion of women’s purity and the sexual double standard.

This essays analyzes the concept of "eugenic love" in early twentieth century American popular cu... more This essays analyzes the concept of "eugenic love" in early twentieth century American popular culture. It argues that eugenics was commonly understood as a sexual science and traces the contours of the eugenic vernacular in newspapers, fiction, and film. In particular, the focus on women's role in mate selection tapped into anxieties about shifting gender roles in the Progressive Era. By making love scientific, supporters of eugenics hoped to ensure happy marriages and healthy children, but detractors warned of draining romance of its vitality.

The 1910s were a period of tremendous visibility of eugenic ideas throughout the United States, i... more The 1910s were a period of tremendous visibility of eugenic ideas throughout the United States, in large part because of Progressive Era enthusiasm for scientific solutions to social problems. Americans were concerned with how to improve the hereditary quality of the human race and eugenics was the science dedicated to pursuing that goal.

Blog Posts by Susan Rensing

This post explores the fear and excitement about eugenic love in the Progressive Era U.S.

The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this p... more The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use.

Journal of Women's Health, 2021

Background: With the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application (MMRIA) data system, the C... more Background: With the Maternal Mortality Review Information Application (MMRIA) data system, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alongside Maternal Mortality Review Committees (MMRCs), are developing comprehensive and uniform data collection to eradicate preventable maternal deaths. However, MMRIA is primarily focused on pregnancy-related deaths, and not pregnancy-associated deaths. Currently, the National Violent Death Reporting System Restricted Access Data (NVDRS-RAD) on pregnancy-associated homicides and suicides are not included in MMRIA and by extension the work of most MMRCs. This study examined the NVDRS-RAD data from 2014 to 2017 and argues that the data for pregnancy-associated maternal deaths should be integrated into the work of MMRCs. Methods: A secondary data analysis of the NVDRS-RAD from 2014 to 2017 was conducted. Pregnancy-associated mortality was identified using data available within the NVDRS-RAD and categorized according to period of pregnancy and manner of death. Descriptive statistics and risk ratios were calculated. Chi-square tests were also calculated. Results: The results indicate that pregnancy and the postpartum period show increased risk for homicide and suicide. Pregnant women were found to be five times more likely to die by homicide than their nonpregnant peers who died by violent means. The relationships between periods of pregnancy and manner of death were all found to be significantly associated although the association was weak. Conclusions: Integrating National Violent Death Reporting System data on pregnancy-associated deaths into MMRIA would improve the efficacy of MMRCs and address the intertwined risk factors driving the racial disparities of the United States' maternal mortality rate.

A Guide to Teaching Introductory Women's and Gender Studies: Socially Engaged Classrooms, 2021

This book provides a practical, evidence-based guide to teaching introductory Women's and Gen... more This book provides a practical, evidence-based guide to teaching introductory Women's and Gender Studies courses. Based on the findings of a Scholarship of Teaching and Learning project that analyzed 72 Intro students’ written work, the authors equip instructors with key principles that can help them adapt their pedagogy to a range of classroom environments. By putting student learning at the center of course design, the authors invite readers to reflect on their own investments in and goals for the introductory course. The book also draws on the authors’ combined decades of teaching experience, and aims to help instructors anticipate the emotional, intellectual, and interpersonal challenges and rewards of teaching and learning in the introductory WGS course. Chapters focus on course design, including identifying desired learning outcomes (in terms of course content, skills, and dispositions or habits of mind); choosing course materials; pedagogical activities; and assessing stu...

This article traces the fierce public debate surrounding Wisconsin’s eugenic marriage law. ... more This article traces the fierce public debate surrounding Wisconsin’s eugenic marriage law. Wisconsin made national headlines with the passage of this law in 1913, which was called a ‘radical’ change to the institution of marriage. Eugenic marriage laws were a crucial component of the American eugenics movement, but have received less historical attention than involuntary sterilization laws. Wisconsin’s law faced intense opposition from the medical community and the Catholic Church, but survived several attempts to undo it. Debate about eugenic marriage also triggered discussion of women’s purity and the sexual double standard.

This essays analyzes the concept of "eugenic love" in early twentieth century American popular cu... more This essays analyzes the concept of "eugenic love" in early twentieth century American popular culture. It argues that eugenics was commonly understood as a sexual science and traces the contours of the eugenic vernacular in newspapers, fiction, and film. In particular, the focus on women's role in mate selection tapped into anxieties about shifting gender roles in the Progressive Era. By making love scientific, supporters of eugenics hoped to ensure happy marriages and healthy children, but detractors warned of draining romance of its vitality.

The 1910s were a period of tremendous visibility of eugenic ideas throughout the United States, i... more The 1910s were a period of tremendous visibility of eugenic ideas throughout the United States, in large part because of Progressive Era enthusiasm for scientific solutions to social problems. Americans were concerned with how to improve the hereditary quality of the human race and eugenics was the science dedicated to pursuing that goal.

This post explores the fear and excitement about eugenic love in the Progressive Era U.S.