3.00 Credits
This course examines the cultural and social history of Southern Appalachia from Native American Settlement to the present era. As social history, the course uncovers the economic, political, community and family-based relationships through which people of the region organized their lives. Particular attention will be paid to Native American-European-African encounters, the Civil War, industrialization, migration, and the politcal response to rural poverty in the 20th century. As cultural history, the course explores the multiple means through which the people of Southern Appalachia expressed their aspiration, fears, demands and reflections. This includes music, novels, the oral tradition, political discourse, religion and material culture. Course fulfills the experiential requirement for graduation.