APST 200: Introducing Appalachia (GE)
Prerequisite: None
Credit Hours: (3)
This course introduces the Appalachian Mountain region through a survey of its geography, history, cultures, lifestyles, and the arts. Readings, discussions, and multi-media presentations on the above topics will be supplemented by library and field research. The class is designed to create and overall awareness and appreciation of life in Appalachia.
Note(s): General Education and Cultural or Behavioral Analysis designated course. Required for Appalachian Studies minor.
Detailed Description of Content of Course
Basic to the course are focused readings and discussions on Appalachia, including a variety of topics that may encompass among them geography, history, culture, folklore, literature, music, the arts, economics, politics, religion, education, and health care. The course is interdisciplinary in nature and will be taken by students pursuing the minor in Appalachian Studies, as well as those with a general interest in the subject matter. It will be taught by faculty with degrees in such major areas as anthropology, english, geography, history, and sociology; and specific course content will to some extent be shaped by the instructor’s expertise and interest. It is intended to be an introductory course to acquaint the Radford University student with the region in which he/she presently resides. Basic texts are likely to be chosen from among the following:
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
As indicated above, the course is by nature interdisciplinary and therefore requires a diversity of approaches to best convey the subject matter.
Students’ discussion, reading, and active participation in field research and reporting allow them to demonstrate their mastery of unique skills in their interdisciplinary work. The course is designed to encourage students to learn from their peers new skills complementary to their own. English majors, for example, may learn from anthropology majors how to do better oral interviews. Anthropology majors may learn from history majors new ways to organize facts and interpret data. In sum, the course allows students to utilize skills of reading and analyzing, speaking and writing, researching and reporting. It offers competence and confidence as student-scholars, and perhaps will lead participants to undertake work which will become a lifelong interest.
Goals and Objectives of the Course
This course is designated as A (Cultural or Behavioral Analysis) Area and fulfill the learning goal: To examine the context and interactions of culture(s) and/or behavior(s). Students will fulfill the learning outcomes in this area: describe behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments and analyze the interactions of behaviors, beliefs, cultures, social institutions, and/or environments.
This course may be applied to the REAL Studies Minor in Cultural/Behavior Analysis.
Upon successful completion of this course, the students will …
Assessment Measures
Understanding of major issues in Appalachian Studies and the connection of those issues to national and international concerns will be assessed through writing projects, oral presentations, and participation in class discussions.
Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
September 2001 Reviewed by Dr. Grace Toney Edwards, Chair
March 01, 2021