HIS 3740/4740: Appalachia

David L. Rouse

Zehmer 216

(276) 376-4577

Course Description: The course surveys the history of the Appalachian region from pre-European contact to the present. Special emphasis will be placed on the environmental history of the mountains and the effects of industrialization (timbering, coal, textiles, etc.) on the people.

Text: John Alexander Williams. Appalachia: A History. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2002.

Course Requirements and Grading: Students are expected to attend class and do the assigned readings before each class session. All students will have two in-class exams and a final. Students taking the course at the 3740 level will have two book reports on works selected from the bibliography. Students taking the course at the 4740 level will have an essay (12-15 pages).

The format to be used in the book reports can be summarized as “STAMP”:

S - Subject of the book

T - Thesis (or argument) put forward by the author

A - Anatomy of the book (structure & chronology)

M - Method(s) used by author (e.g., oral histories, type of archival resources)

P - Place the work in your own experience, either as a scholar (how does it confirm or change your thinking about the subject-matter) or as an Appalachian resident (draw from personal experience or family history and find parallels or explain different viewpoints)

The essay should reference at least two books and three articles relevant to the topic of the essay. When possible, primary source material should be used as well. The topic and references must be approved by the instructor.

Assignments are weighted as follows.

In-class exams: 15% each

Reviews/essay: 20%

Final: 30%

Attendance/participation: 20%

Grades are assigned as follows.

92-100 A
90-91.9 A-
88-89.9 B+
82-87.9 B
80-81.9 B-
78-79.9 C+
72-78.9 C
70-71.9 C-
68-69.9 D+
62-68.9 D
60-61.9 D-
0-59.9 F

Students are expected to know and abide by the rules of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, including the Honor Code.

If you need course adaptations or academic adjustments because of a disability, if you have emergency medical information to share with me, or if you need special arrangements in case the building must be evacuated, please make an appointment to talk with me as soon as possible.

Schedule

Date	Assignment
25 January	Introduction to the Course
27	Where is Appalachia? The Geography of the Region Williams, pp. 1-18 Lecture
30	Some Geology and Natural History
01 Feb	Life in the Region before European Contact Williams, pp. 19-30 Lecture
03	Early European Settlement Williams, pp. 30-49 Lecture
06	Through the War of Independence Williams, pp. 49-81 Life of Chief Benge
08
10	Guest Lecture: William Turner
13	Pre-Industrial Appalachia Williams, pp. 83-118 Lecture
15
17	Early Development Williams, pp. 118-156 Lecture
20	Civil War Williams, pp. 157-181
22	Exam 1 Study Guide
24	Exam
27	Post War Economics and Politics Williams, pp. 181-197 Lecture
29
02 Mar	Creating Images: Stereotyping Appalachia Williams, pp. 197-223
05	Industrialization: Railroads Williams, pp. 225-242 Lecture
07
09	First book reports due
19	Industrialization: Timber Williams, pp. 242-259 Lecture
21
23	Industrialization: Coal Williams, pp. 259-273 Lecture
26
28	Industrialization: Textiles Williams, pp. 273-281 Lecture
30	Study Guide
02 Apr	Exam
04	A New Deal for Appalachia Williams, pp. 282-308 Lecture
06
09	Hillbilly Ghettoes: Migration to the Cities Williams, pp. 309-334 Lecture
11
13	The War on Poverty Williams, pp. 334-348 Lecture
16
18	Scholars and Activists Williams, pp. 348-366 Lecture
20
23	Pork Barrow Politics Williams, pp. 366-398 Lecture
25
27	Second book reports due
30
02	Essays for 4740 due
04	Study Guide