The two words are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences in their meaning. The history of the words will clarify this.
Courtship: The term goes back to the latter 1500s and referred to a man wooing a woman to win her affection and for her to give consent for marriage.
The concept was about chivalry among the nobility but spread down to society in general. A man would visit a woman at her family home with her parents very much supervising proceedings.
The word took on the meaning of an extended period couples would spend developing a romantic connection, with the intended goal of an engagement. It was about protecting the virtue of a woman and her social reputation.
Dating: The word started entering English usage in the US at the beginning of the 20th century. It's initial meaning was a simple prearranged meeting of a social nature.
With young ones less likely to be under their parent's roofs and gaining car ownership, the family dynamics changed. Young ones now met with little or no supervision. The term dating was used in such situations.
So there is the basic history of the words. Today, dating is widely used but among religious folk who still adhere to Bible moral standards, they will often prefer the term courtship. So now to simplify and a final summary.
Courtship: The goal is marriage. It may involve a chaperone or group setting, the couple observing each other in various situations. It usually involves limits for physical contact.
Dating: It has more of an exploration and fun angle with less pressure. Often it involves one on one interaction. It is viewed as flexible, from casual interaction only, to eventually living together without marriage, or occasionally even looking for a long term relationship in marriage.
Summary: Courting offers a clear destination and will appeal to those with stricter moral standards. Others feel it is out of step with the modern world. Dating's flexibility appeals to many, especially if their moral standards are more liberal. The lack of defined goals can lead to misunderstandings that can hurt emotionally. The possibility of pregnancy outside of marriage is also more likely.
