NCE 333 - People of the Appalachian Mountains

4 Hour(s)
From the Scots-Irish roots of its early settlers to its role in labor relations, the people of the Appalachian Mountains have created a way of life that differs from the rest of the United States. They are a people of great pride and conviction, yet they are often presented in the media as a simple-minded, inbred people who, while humorous to watch, pose a potential threat to outsiders. From the comic strip Snuffy Smith to the movie Deliverance and television series Here Comes Honey Boo Boo, this culture remains a mystery or joke to most outsiders. This cross-cultural experience will provide students with an opportunity to learn about a culture similar in nationality and racial makeup, yet different in traditions, ethnicity and environment. Students will examine how stereotypes differ from reality by talking with native Appalachians, visiting historic sites, discovering new interpretations of events, and traversing inhospitable terrain. Students will gain an appreciation for the pride people of the Appalachian Mountains take in maintaining their cultural heritage and in the process recognize their own cultural identities .

SP