Sociology Department

Sociology 497.2
Single Women in the U.S.
Spring, 2005

E. Kay Trimberger
Tuesday 9 - 11:40 - RCH 20

Course Description:
This course will address the following questions: How does society view single women and how is this changing ? How do single women view themselves and how is this changing? Do ethnicity and race make a difference? What are the differences and similarities between younger and older single women, between lesbian and heterosexual singles, between the childless and single mothers, and between ever single and divorced women? How have changes in the culture of love and romance, and in the institution of marriage, affected single women? What is the continuum of ways to live between a single person living alone and a married couple? What is the future of singleness in the U.S.?

Required Reading:
Sasha Cagen, Quirkyalone: A manifesto for uncompromising romantics.

Carol Anderson & Susan Stewart, Flying Solo: Single Women in Midlife

Reader of articles and book chapters

Course Requirements: % of Final Grade

1) Class attendance and participation 30%

2) Short oral presentation 10%

3) Two short (4-5 page) take-home essay exams 30%

4) A short (8 - 10 page) research paper 30%