Women and continuing professional education in a historic perspective. The case of Geneva, 1180-1914

Abstract

The subject of this article is professional and household management courses for woman, offered by three institutions between 1880 and 1914, that were researched within the frame of a project concerning the history of adult education in Geneva. Those institutions are: l’Association des Commis de Genève (courses in the fields of commerce and language); l’Académie professionnelle de la Ville de Genève (courses in the fields of household management and textiles); l’Union des Femmes de Genève (courses in the fields of commerce and languages as well as the fields of household management and textiles). Initially, the three institutions are briefly introduced: curriculum, students, teaching staff, organization and financing. Then, a few general tendencies are disclosed and analyzed in light of the educational, political and socio-economical conditions of the period, as well as with the professional and social status of women.