Appalachian Studies Minor

Appalachian Studies Minor Program Information

Department of Appalachian Studies

Department Chair: Ron Roach, Ph.D.
222 Nicks Hall
Box 70556
(423) 439-7494
e-mail: roachr@etsu.edu

Advisor: Rebecca Fletcher, Ph.D.
215 Nicks Hall
Box 70556
(423) 439-7994
e-mail: fletcherra1@etsu.edu

The Appalachian Studies Minor is an 18 credit interdisciplinary program for students who would like to gain a greater appreciation for and understanding of the Appalachian region. This knowledge is useful for people planning to pursue careers in fields such as public health, medicine, teaching, non-profit work, social work, or any endeavor that brings them in contact with people in Appalachia. Majors for which this minor is especially suitable include but are not limited to history, English, sociology, anthropology, bluegrass, old-time, and country music, nursing, public health, social work, and communications.

The minor requires a core of six credits and 12 credits of guided electives. Core courses examine Appalachia’s culture, environment, economy, health and wellness, energy, politics, and other pressing issues both historically and currently. Electives allow students to delve more deeply into the region’s literature, art, music, folklore, religion, flora, fauna, poverty, education, and other topics. Students are required to take courses in at least two different departments. No more than three credits taken as part of the Appalachian Studies minor may be counted toward a major in any field. Because courses may be selected from several different departments, students are encouraged to meet with the faculty advisor for the Appalachian Studies Minor for advisement regarding class sequences and frequency of offerings and to design a thematic course grouping that suits their personal interests.

Students wishing to explore the Scottish and Irish heritage of the Appalachian region, or who are interested in the summer study abroad experience in Scotland and Ireland, should consult with Dr. Jane MacMorran, director of the Appalachian, Scottish and Irish Studies program (423) 439-7992, macmorra@etsu.edu.

Appalachian Studies Minor: 18 credits

At least 9 credits must be at the 3000-level or above.

Core Requirements: 6 credits

APST 2060 - Introduction to Appalachian Studies (3 credits)
APST 4997 - Current Issues in Appalachian Studies (3 credits)

Advisor Approved Electives: 12 credits

Choose 12 credits from the following:

APST 3510 - Coal Mining in Appalachia: History and Current Issues (3 credits)
APST 3520 - Appalachia and War: History and Regional Impact (3 credits)
APST 3530 - Religion in Appalachia (3 credits)
APST 4018 - Honors Thesis (3-6 credits)
APST 4102 - Art and Appalachia (3 credits)
APST 4237 - Scots-Irish in Appalachia (3-6 credits) *
APST 4337 - Appalachia in Scotland and Ireland (3-6 credits) *
APST 4567 - Scottish and Irish Folklife (3 credits)
APST 4900 - Independent Study (1-3 credits)
APST 4907 - Appalachian Foodways (3 credits)
APST 4957 - Special Topics in Appalachian Studies (1-3 credits)
BIOL 4247 - Appalachian Flora (3 credits) (8 hrs. pre-requisites)
BIOL 4257 - Appalachian Fauna (3 credits) (8 hrs. pre-requisites)
BLUE XXXX - Individual Instruction and Band Classes (1-3 credits) **
ANTH 3500 - Traditional and Indigenous Medicine (3 credits)
BLUE 2150 - American Roots Music (3 credits)
BLUE 3110 - Introduction to Bluegrass Music (3 credits) **
BLUE 3120 - Country Music Then and Now (3 credits) **
BLUE 3130 - Bluegrass Music History I (3 credits) **
BLUE 3140 - Bluegrass Music History II (3 credits) **
BLUE 4130 - Survey of Contemporary Bluegrass (3 credits) **
BLUE 4147 - Bluegrass and America’s Music (3 credits) **
BLUE 4150 - Roots of Bluegrass and Country Music (3 credits) **
BLUE 4230 - Songwriting (3 credits) **
ENGL 3065 - Southern Appalachian Literature (3 credits)
ENGL 4137 - Dialectology (3 credits)
ENGL 4217 - Irish/Scottish Literature (3 credits)
ENVS 2010 - The Natural Environment in Appalachia (3 credits)
HIST 3041 - History of Southern Appalachians (3 credits)
ANTH 4627 - Ethnographic Methods (3 credits)
GEOS 4800 - Special Topics (3 credits)

Note:

* Between these two courses, no more than six credits can count toward the minor.
** No more than six credits of BLUE can count toward the Appalachian Studies minor.

Other seminars, independent studies, topics courses, and problems courses, including 4956 summer offerings, may be counted toward the minor when the topic is Appalachian (must have approval of the chair or the APST advisor).

Minor Requirement

A minor is a secondary area of study outside of the major program of study with a structured curriculum composed of at least 18 credits of which at least 9 credits must be at the 3000-level or above.