As engaging storytelling can make important social topics more relevant and meaningful, movies can give students more insight and understanding than lectures or textbooks alone.
"Single" is a perfect addition to a sociology syllabus on family, marriage or gender issues," says Christine Whelan Ph.D. (Princeton, Oxford), a visiting professor at the University of Pittsburgh, and one of the featured experts in "Single". "Blending up-to-date research with real-life challenges for young adults, "Single" can be shown as an introduction to, or wrap-up of, discussions about the increasing number of unmarried Americans, societal pressure to pair up , delayed marriage, divorce or the rise of unwed childbirths". Whelan adds that the organization of the film itself offers added flexibility for its classroom use. "The DVD is broken down into chapters, making it easy for instructors to incorporate sections into a class of any length."
The discussion guide for "Single" delivers thought-provoking questions organized around the topics covered in the film. It also offers additional suggestions for learning activities beyond the classroom discussion. The discussion guide can be freely downloaded from the film's website: www.singlefilm.com.
"Single" is a unique and critically-acclaimed film that brings together a diverse cast of social experts, comedians, singer/songwriters and "real" people who tell a fascinating and often humorous story about the growth of the single population in the USA and the trends and influences behind this powerful shift.
Academic and expert members of the cast include:
Stephanie Coontz
Professor, Evergreen State College, WA.
Director of Research and Public Education for The Council on Contemporary Families.
Author of "Marriage, a History", "The Way We Never Were", "The Way We Really Are', "The Social Origins of Private Life" and "American Families - A Multi-Cultural Reader".
Bella DePaulo, Ph.D.
Social Scientist
Author of "Singled Out", "Single With Attitude" and "Behind the Door of Deceit".
Bruce Forester, MD, PC, FACP
Psychiatrist and mystery writer.
Author of "Fatal Betrayal", "In Strict Confidence", "Signs and Omens" and "Fatal Memory.
Peter Francese
Demographic Trends Analyst, Ogilvy & Mather.
Co-author (with Lorraine Merrill) of "Communities and Consequences".
Founder and subsequent publisher of American Demographics Magazine.
Andrew Hacker
American Political Scientist.
Professor Emeritus Queen's College, NY.
Author of "Mismatch: The Growing Gulf between Women and Men", "Money: Who Has How Much and Why?" and "Two Nations: Black and White, Separate, Hostile, Unequal".
Mitch Thrower
Entrepreneur.
Author of "Attention Deficit Workplace".
Christine Whelan, Ph.D.
Professor/journalist.
Author of "Marry Smart" and "Why Smart Men Marry Smart Women".
Barbara Dafoe Whitehead, Ph.D.
Co-director of The National Marriage Project, Rutgers University.
Author of "Why There are No Good Men Left".
ABOUT "SINGLE"
Commercially released in September 2009, "Single" is an independent feature documentary film which explores the growth of the unmarried population and the complexities of finding and maintaining a lasting relationship in today's crazy world. 100 million adults in America are single and, for the first time ever, the majority of US houdeholds are headed by an unmarried person.
Called "brilliantly done" by NY film critic, Tiffanie Greene, and "a very cool, cool documentary" by Juliet Huddy on Fox TV, "Single" is available on DVD and via digital download at barnesandnoble.com (a recently selected "Pick of the Week"), Blockbuter.com, TCM.com, Amazon.com and other online retailers. Website: www.singlefilm.com.
Official selection of the 2008 Berkshire International FIlm Festival Sunday Series and 2008 NY New Filmmakers Summer Series.
Produced by Richard Atkinson and Jane Scandurra/Go Pictures and Films LLC.
Distributed by Osiris Entertainment, Inc.
CONTACT
Media/screening requests: Richard Atkinson/Jane Scandurra, co-directors/co-producers - Go Pictures and Films LLC - info@gopicturesandfilms.com.
Distribution: Doug Dohmen - ddohmen@osirisent.com
Website: http://www.singlefilm.com
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