Honors HIST 1103 – Survey of American History

Spring 2002

Dr. Laura Belmonte

Assignment for Beth Bailey, From Front Porch to Back Seat: Courtship in Twentieth-Century America

Due in class on Thursday, March 28^th

Read: pp. 1-96 only

Write a 5-7 page essay (be sure to include an introduction and conclusion) in which you summarize Bailey’s major themes and answer – within the body of your essay – the following questions (in whatever order you wish):

-Why and how did courtship and dating patterns change over time?

-How did media reflections and images of dating change over time?

-How have the roles and expectations of men and women changed in regard to courtship and dating?

-How have trends in marriage changed?

-How has consumerism been linked to dating?

-How have the connections between sex and dating changed?

-How have parents and other authorities reacted to dating practices?

-How would you describe dating and courtship practices today?

-Did you like this book? Should I assign it again? Explain your answers.