ENGL 547
APPALACHIAN LITERATURE

Catalog Entry

English 547. Appalachian Literature
Three hours lecture (3).

Establishment of standards for identifying Appalachian literature; study of selected works representative of the mountain culture. Approved for Graduate Credit: appropriate requirements for students taking this course for graduate credit will be established by the instructor.

Detailed Description of Content of Course

I. Close reading of selected literary works from the Appalachian region, ranging from early travelers' reports in the late 1600's to contemporary fiction, poetry, and drama (e.g., Robert J. Higgs, Ambrose Manning, Jim Wayne Miller, eds., Appalachia Inside Out Emma Bell Miles, The Spirit of the Mountains; Breece D'J Pancake, The Stories of Breece Pancake; Earl Hobson Smith, The Long Way Home; Harriette Arnow, The Dollmaker; Denise Giardina, Storming Heaven; Lee Smith, Fair and Tender Ladies)
II. Study of historical and cultural contexts of the Appalachian region and its people
III. Selected readings in literary theory reflecting a variety of critical approaches (e.g., selected essays by Robert J. Higgs, Wilma Dykeman, Anne Shelby, Jim Wayne Miller, and others)
IV. Study of Appalachian dialect and its usage, especially by contemporary authors.

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

I. Students read the best representative samples of Appalachian writing from the late seventeenth century to the present. They become acquainted with each of the major literary genres as these are exemplified in Appalachian literature: essay, poetry, short fiction, novel, drama. In addition, students meet practicing writers in the classroom through the medium of videotape and, whenever possible, through personal visits.
II. Format - combination of the following:

• Lecture and discussion led by instructor;
• Student-led discussion of assigned reading;
• Oral presentations by students on outside reading and research projects;
• Readings and discussion by visiting authors in person or on videotape;
• Field trips to hear Appalachian authors speak.

III. Writing Requirements

1. Informal and Exploratory

(1) Students keep a weekly or biweekly log in which they react to class activities, to the readings, to their own research projects, to special cultural events.
(2) Students may frequently be asked to write impromptu responses in class to questions intended to stimulate discussion or to facilitate learning.

2. Synthesis and Application

In essay examinations, students are asked to demonstrate their ability to synthesize their knowledge about Appalachian literature and to apply designated theoretical criteria to selected texts.

3. Formal Essay

Students will write one or more formal essays. These may include:

1) A critical review of one of the books assigned to the entire class. The essay may be an overview of the book, or it may focus on a specific topic, such as dialect usage, particular patterns of the genre, critical theory application, or thematic investigation.

Students may be asked to lead discussion in class on the book they have reviewed.

2) A major critical study of an author's work or a thematic topic encompassing more than one work. Such a study should include both primary and secondary resources. In-class peer groups may review drafts of essays and provide reader-response.

IV. Oral Presentations

Students may make oral presentations to the class summarizing contents of their essay(s). These presentations may be in the context of student-led discussion, or a more formal presentation accompanied by audio-visual aids or dramatic interpretation, as appropriate.

Goals and Objectives of the Course

1. Students should become familiar with the concept of Appalachian regional literature through historical and cultural contexts.
2. Students should acquire theoretical bases for defining and analyzing the literature of Appalachia through their study of the scholarship and criticism of this literature.
3. Students should, through reading, discussing, and writing, become knowledgeable about selected essays, poetry, short stories, novels, and drama which focus on the region.

Assessment Measures

Students' knowledge about literary genres, theoretical bases, and selected works in Appalachian literature will be evaluated through a series of writing assignments that may include, but are not necessarily limited to, the following: periodic log entries, informal writing-to-learn exercises, a formal critical review, a major critical study, and midterm and final examinations. Each of these assignments will have specific expectations detailed for the students before they begin their work. Additionally, students may be evaluated through their oral activities: leading of discussion on assigned reading, oral presentation on major critical study, and daily participation in class.

Other Course Information

None

REVIEW AND APPROVAL

DATE ACTION APPROVED BY
March 1999