APST 620
New Perspectives in Appalachian Studies
1. Catalog Entry
APST 620
New Perspectives in Appalachian Studies
Credit hours (3)
Prerequisites: APST 610 or instructor permission
Drawing from various postmodern theories and critiques, the course will explore tensions and debates that exist in Appalachian Studies. Students will evaluate how scholars avoid essentialism and recognize diversity while still maintaining a regional disciplinary focus. The course will employ comparative analyses, tools of historiography, and contemporary theoretical lenses for students to come to an understanding of Appalachia and Appalachian Studies in this global 21st century.
2. Detailed Description of Course
The course will employ various postmodern theories and critiques, including deconstruction, Marxism, gender studies/feminism, post-colonialism, ecocriticism, and ecofeminism, to highlight the tensions that exist in 21st century Appalachian Studies Two guiding questions will be, 鈥淗ow do scholars maintain a distinct Appalachian Studies discipline without succumbing to limiting essentialist thought?鈥� and 鈥淗ow do Appalachia and Appalachian Studies fit into a global context?鈥� Students will explore the ways that the postmodern theories listed above inform their understanding of Appalachia in a global, as well as local, context. Moreover, students will concentrate on the interdisciplinarity of APST.
3. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
The course may consist of in-class instructional activities, such as lectures, guest
lectures, documentary viewings, experiential learning opportunities, and discussion.
In addition, there may be online assignments and field experiences. Students will
have opportunities to interact in a variety of ways (i.e. the classroom, online, and
in small groups outside of class). Students will participate in assignments and activities,
including but not limited to writing-to-learn activities, oral communication activities,
and case studies.
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4. Goals and Objectives of the Course
Students will be able to:
1) explain the main concepts of the following postmodern theories and critiques:
deconstruction, Marxism, gender
studies/feminism, post-colonialism, ecocriticism, and ecofeminism
2) apply the above postmodern theories and critiques to contemporary Appalachia
and its residents, as well as
Appalachian Studies as a discipline
3) explain the political and theoretical debates about essentialism
4) identify the diversity of contemporary Appalachia
5) explain how that diversity influences evolving Appalachian culture
6) identify arguments in contemporary Appalachian Studies
7) explain the competing theoretical and practical issues of 鈥減lace鈥� and its importance
in Appalachian Studies
5. Assessment Measures
Include but are not limited to:
1) in-class attendance and participation
2) online assignments
3) critical reading reflection logs
4) article-length paper
6. Other Course Information
None
Review and Approval
February 15, 2013