Department of Appalachian Studies
The Department of Appalachian Studies, along with the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services, provides a centralized unit for developing degrees and certificates, promoting research, and extending the service mission of East Tennessee State University.
In addition to its undergraduate programs, the Department offers a Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies, which is a natural fit for ETSU, with its strong history of service to Appalachia and a mission that embraces its Southern Appalachian identity and setting.
ETSU's Graduate Certificate in Appalachian studies is the only one of its kind in the State of Tennessee. The certificate is appropriate for current and prospective students who want to understand the region from a variety of historical, cultural, and global perspectives.
The Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies is designed to meet the needs of three student audiences:
- students for whom a certificate in the discipline of Appalachian studies will improve their qualifications for the job market;
- students who are already in the workforce or in degree programs but can profit from and perhaps advance in their careers with deeper knowledge of the region; and
- students who are interested in understanding the region from a variety of historical, cultural, and global perspectives; who will profit from concentrated study and research; and, who may plan to enter masters programs at a later date.
Specific areas of employment that may be enhanced by this certificate include education, local and regional planning, economic development, service organizations, cultural and arts organizations, and health-related careers.
A student who completes the Graduate Certificate in Appalachian Studies may transfer
all 18 credits to the Master of Arts in Appalachian Studies program, with the approval of the APST graduate coordinator. All transfer credit,
however, must meet GPA requirements and must be within the six-year matriculation
limit.
We thank you for taking the time to visit the Department of Appalachian Studies Graduate
Certificate website.
Jane MacMorran, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator
Nicks Hall 217
(423) 439-7992
e-mail: macmorra@etsu.edu
Ron Roach, Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Appalachian Studies
(423) 439-7494
roachr@etsu.edu
Photo courtesy of Ben Bateson
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
APST 5150 - Seminar in Appalachia and Religion (3 credits)
This seminar will look in depth at one aspect of religion in Appalachia. The topic
may vary from year to year. Possible topics include missionaries and missionary schools
in Appalachia, the sacred music of Appalachia, the nineteenth-century camp meeting
movement, religion and literature in Appalachia, and the sociology of minority religion
in Appalachia.
APST 5180 - Seminar in Art and Appalachia (3-6 credits)
This seminar provides an in-depth study of some aspects of art in Appalachia. The
topic may change from year to year.
APST 5237 - Scots-Irish in Appalachia (3-6 credits)
This course will examine the contribution of the Scots-Irish and Scots to Appalachian
culture.
APST 5250 - Readings in Appalachian Studies- (3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to survey the major writings central to the region,
to analyze their importance to and influence on the development of Appalachian studies,
and to serve as the foundation for advanced graduate study in Appalachian studies.
APST 5260 - Contemporary Appalachia and Globalism (3 credits)
This course examines contemporary Appalachia in the context of the global community.
Topics include the extractive industries, agriculture, health care, and sustainable
development.
APST 5337 - Appalachia in Scotland (3-6 credits)
This course will survey the relationship among Appalachian, Scottish, and Irish cultures,
with an emphasis on Scotland and Ireland.
APST 5670 - Ethnomusicology and Appalachia (3 credits)
This course balances a survey of methodological and theoretical issues in ethnomusicology
with a survey of ethnomusicological literature related to the Appalachian region.
In addition, this course provides an introduction to past and present musical cultures
in Appalachia and gives students opportunities to apply basic methods and theories
of ethnomusicology in an Appalachian context.
APST 5690 - Documenting Community Traditions (3 credits)
This crossdisciplinary seminar involves fieldwork in Appalachian communities seeking
cultural or economic sustainability through the development of their traditional and
contemporary assets.
APST 5907 - Foodways of Appalachia (3 credits)
Traditional and developing food cultures of the Mountain South. Topics include: the
historical roots of Appalachian cookery; food and class in Appalachia; Native American
and African influences on mountain cuisine; immigrant cooking in the mountains; the
rituals of the mountain table; the products of the land and larder; traditional food
preservation techniques and beliefs; and the emergence and viability of sustainable
agriculture and aquaculture.
APST 5957 - Special Topics in Appalachian Studies (1-3 credits)
The Special Topics course is designed for special interest subjects that are not covered
elsewhere in the curriculum. May be repeated when the topic changes.
BLUE 5147 - Bluegrass and America's Music (3 credits)
The musical and commercial interaction between bluegrass and American folk music,
jazz, pop, gospel, blues, rock, and classical traditions.
BLUE 5257 - Band Leadership Skills (4 credits)
Prerequisites: By permission only. An experiential course that helps students develop
band leadership skills through collective and individual study and practical experience.
BLUE 5410 - Individual Instrumental Instruction (1-3 credits)
A flexibly designed course of study under an experienced musician. It provides an
opportunity for the student to build upon intermediate or advanced skills and to develop
musically on the path to reaching his or her full potential as an instrumentalist.
Can be repeated.
BLUE 5510 - Graduate Ensemble (1-3 credits)
A flexibly designed course of study under the direction of an experienced musician
and band leader with focus on ensemble performance. Can be repeated.
BLUE 5900 - Independent Study (1-3 credits)
Directed study in an area, not provided for in course offerings, for which the student
has special interest and adequate preparation. By permission of the director.
BLUE 5957 - Special Topics (1-6 credits)
Selected topics in Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music. By permission of the director.
Can be repeated for credit when content changes.
ENGL 5060 - Literature of Southern Appalachia (3 credits)
Selected writings of outstanding regional authors.
ENGL 5137 - Dialectology (3 credits)
Prerequisites: Either ENGL 3100 or 4120. Study of regional and social language variation,
including dialect geography and sociolinguistics. Emphasis on linguistic features
of Appalachian dialects.
ENGL 5217 - Irish/Scottish Literature (3 credits)
Study of major writers in Irish and Scottish literature with attention to folklore
and culture.
ENGL 5670 - Seminar in Folklore (when topic is Appalachian) (3 credits)
In-depth study of folklore theory, methodology, and a selected genre or topic, such
as oral narrative, material culture, occupational lore, etc. Includes fieldwork. May
be repeated when topic changes.
HIST 5010 - Studies in United States History (when topic is Appalachian) (3 credits)
Directed research and readings in selected topics in the history of the United States.
(every semester) May be repeated.