[lectures, lessons & notes]

Dr. Jordan Laney

Introduction: The Who, What, When, Where & Why of Appalachia.

The video below introduces the 5 myths of Appalachia, the different definations of Appalachia and Appalachian people, and an overview of themes within regional studies.

Appalachia's Native Culture(s) and History


WEEK 3: SETTLER CAPITALISTS

KEY QUESTION: WHY DOES LAND OWNDERSHIP MATTER?

  • View Lecture/Slides

  • Read: Settlement & Native Populations (HMR)

  • Frontier Thesis (How we understand land and history)

  • Read: “turner-frontier-thesis” (1-3)

  • Optional (but helpful!): “Turner and the Frontier Myth” (433-443)


The Civil War and Reconstruction in Appalachia

Key Questions: What are the relationships to between place and race? What was the role of race in the construction of Appalachia with the national imagination?

For more on the above image: https://www.scalawagmagazine.org/2019/09/black-appalachia-kingdom/

This week's text assignments and schedule:


Welcome Video:

Monday:

Slides/lectures go up! View these first!Power mapping (extended) duedateTEXTS:
  • View Lecture/Slides
  • Listen to The podcast “1619” (specifically episodes 2 and 5. There are two parts to 5).
You should be able to find the podcast by simply googling "1619 podcast", it's pretty popular! Stream it on the platform of your choice. This should be FREE.
  • Read: “The Civil War and Reconstruction” by G McKinny (HMR)
You can find the reading by searching your library database for the book "High Mountains Rising" and selecting the ebook. Then, scroll down and find the appropriate chapter. (Specifically, watch “Knoxville’s Red Summer” and “The 8th of August”. Again, these should be free to stream. If you have wifi issues, please let me know ASAP so we can arrange something else!)
Go ahead and complete the “Check-in” quiz if you have a few minutes! Access the quiz here: https://forms.gle/EKXBEJsgQhf5Ldkr7
Tuesday, September 15Discussion Leaders Post Videos!Office hours via Zoom from 5-6PM EST! Consider this an optional study session for the quiz!
Wednesday: “Check-in” quiz due! (This is NOT the quiz Friday but is incredibly important and will be graded!) Access the quiz here: https://forms.gle/EKXBEJsgQhf5Ldkr7Office hours via Zoom from 8-9PM EST! Consider this an optional study session for the quiz!
Thursday, September 17--> Responses to Discussion leaders due by midnight!Additional study session to be added depending on check in quiz responses!
Friday, September 18Quiz 1 opens! You will have until Sunday at midnight to complete the quiz.

LOCAL COLOR FICTION: Why the stories we tell and share matter.

This week, we ask BIG questions: who has the power to narrate history? Stories? How do stereotypes impact policy? Opportunity? Equity? Inclusion? The lecture for the week is found below.

Our texts this week include:

-Chimamanda Adichie's Tedtalk, "The Danger of a Single Story"

- The documentary "Hillbilly", http://hillbillymovie.com. FYI: This film, like ALL texts does have a bias. Pay close attention to how the filmmaker addresses her own bias. Consider the ways reconstruction is still impacting the construction of "Appalachia" today. You should be able to stream the film on the site of your choice (for a minimal fee). If this is an issue PLEASE reach out ASAP.


**If you are presenting on the texts listed above, please post your leadership discussion post by Tuesday (midnight EST). If you have any questions or would like to talk about your practice questions with me, please reach out!**


The only assignment due this week for the entire class, is to complete the readings and respond to AT LEAST two of the questions posted by midnight (EST) on Thursday.


I also encourage you to read the local newspaper wherever you are. See how the local news discusses assets and capital. Google your hometown, see how mainstream media presents your home. Consider: what it would be like for your home to be perpetually misrepresented. Consider: how does misrepresentation impact policy, which in turn impacts potential? Big questions!


And finally, I wanted to share with you news of Tyler Childers' new instrumental album (with the final song NOT being an instrumental tune). Childers is a well known Appalachian musician and his new album has been both praised and criticized. Check it out for yourself here: https://longviolenthistory.tylerchildersmusic.com/?fbclid=IwAR0NV6J5sxe8LalnBGCRW2G81dLV9zSxwfhunTi_o9XeNopxJwgbjUsjoYU



Extractive Industries: understanding unequal growth and development.

This week we shift into discussions of industrialization in Appalachia. In order to do so, we must understand coal.

We are watching the (lengthy) PBS documentary MINE WARS (streamable on your device, found via google!)

We are also reading a short article from contemporary author Leah Hampton in an effort to connect the actions of the early 1900's to today. I have included supplemental texts below, featuring a poem by WV writer, Crystal Good.

It may be helpful to view the slides first, then Mine Wars and conclude with modern materials.

Coal miners CONTINUE to fight for representation. Below are a few articles on recent strikes and events:

Harlan Co. Train Protest 2019 , NYT Coverage of Harlan Protest 2019, Rolling Stones Coverage of Train Protest 2019

Coal Mining Union President

Black Lung in 2019


Industrialization and the Emergence of Hillbilly Music.



This week we continue moving forward on the "linear timeline" to better understand industrialization in the region and th esubsequent emergence of Hillbilly Music.

Required texts include:

  • View Lecture/Slides (below!)

  • Read: Industrialization by Ronald Lewis [search your university library database for High Mountains Rising. Using the online text, fing the Industrialization chapter. ] If you LOVE this topic, here is an optional resource: https://archive.org/details/appalachiarichlandpoorpeople)

  • Listen! To the NPR episode below (very short).

And, suprise! at after the lecture you will find a study guide for the Lewis chapter.

Remember, discussion leaders post by midnight on Tuesday. All others respond by midnight on Thursday!




--> If you find the Lewis chapter overwhelming, here is a study guide:

Growth without development.

As early as the Civil War and WW1, a strong market orientation developed in the region with an early commercial elite. HOWEVER, Appalachian enterprises focused on developments which did ___ stimulate a sustainable, diverse economy.

LIST the four ways of thinking about the evolution of Appalachian economies:

What do modern scholars think? (62)

What do you think?

Representation during this time period “reinforced tired notions of an ________ people in a _________ _____ land…”. What global comparisons come to mind?

How are these representations created today? Who benefits?

List pros and cons to the Tennessee Valley Authority’s work in the region:

What are the four listed results of industrialization?

What are the results of industrialization in your own words?

The following questions help you prepare for discussion. (REMEMBER! Participation and discussion leadership grades are not simply reflective of being physically in the classroom and presenting questions on your topics. Engagement is expected!)

What comes to mind when you hear the word industrialization?

Define progress.

What would a timeline or map of “progress” look like for the Appalachian region?

How does your major/career path/internship/family/club or other important group in your life view progress?

Interested in learning more? Check this out:

https://www.britannica.com/art/race-record


Methods: How to study a place.

This week, we think about all we have learned and how our own personal point of view (POV) and embodied knowledge impacts our learning. We are also reaching the point in the linear timeline of the region that studies about the region from a cultural and socio-economic standpoint begin to emerge. Appalachian Studies is a continuation of these studies and it is crucial that we consistently re-evaluate our own power, positionality, and presumptions about ourselves and the region.

We do not have a lecture this week, as the film is rather heavy. Instead, please spend time with each of the assigned texts and carefully engage with the discussion questions posted by your peers. The three texts are listed below. Below, you will also find a worksheet/handout to help identify main points and connections (not to be turned in!).

REQUIRED TEXTS:

Stranger with a Camera by Elizabeth Barrett (available on most streaming channels).

Set aside time to *really watch* this film. It will need your full attention.

Appalachian Retelling: https://theappalachianretellingproject.com

-Explore the website and methods. What stands out about the stories being told? What would you add? What questions do you have for the creator/curator?

And, Kimberle Chrenshaw's wonderful Tedtalk on Intersectionality (see below)



Arts in Appalachia: Folk, Punk, and Beyond

  1. View Lecture Video/Slides (found below!)

  2. Listen to the podcast “Dolly Parton’s America” (specifically “What is Dolly Parton's America” and “Tennessee Mountain Trance”) https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/dolly-partons-america You can find the podcast on your favorite streaming/listening platform by Googling "Dolly Parton's America" and selecting the episodes listed above or using the NPR link provided below.

  3. Read "Music" by Bill Malone (found in High Mountains Rising, available via PDF through your library website!). This is a VERY short read.

ASSIGNMENTS:

  • Tuesday, October 20: Discussion Leader Posts Due!

  • Thursday, October 22: Responses Due

About Dolly Parton's America...

If you are NOT familiar with Dolly Parton, that's ok. Just know that she is an Appalachian American icon that reaches across most national divides. If you google "Dolly Parton" you may find "Dollywood" (her theme park) or a multitude of objects for sale (candles, outfits, mugs, etc.). People LOVE Dolly and I do encourage you to do some independent searching. Why do people love Dolly? Do not overlook her songwriting and PHENOMENAL voice.

The podcast can be found here:

Lecture:

Slides:

MUSIC lecture


Harlan Country, USA + Activism +

Community Organizing in Appalachia

This week we have one main text: the documentary Harlan County, USA. Please watch the video below before viewing the documentary.

As always, discussion leaders should post questions by midnight on Tuesday and we will all answer by midnight on Friday!

Brain Drain: Appalachian Challenges and Solutions!

<--- Lecture/Overview.

Brain Drain: Challenges and Solutions

Slides with hyperlinks

<----

Appalachian Healthcare:

(some) Challenges and Solutions

This week we address the difficult topic of healthcare challenges, specifically, drug use in the region. Please read the texts listed below, watch the ted talk and watch the short lecture. Discussion questions should be posted by midnight on Tuesday, answers posted by midnight on Thursday.

Watch: https://www.ted.com/talks/robert_gipe_finding_higher_ground_through_art

November 16: Winter Rituals in Appalachia

Winter Rituals in Appalachia

This week focus on:

  1. Meeting with me to discuss your final project!

  2. Meeting with your group to work on the Challenges and Solutions group project! Due Nov. 30th!

  3. Check email regularly.

  4. Take care! Stay healthy!