Southern Studies Concentration

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A concentration in Southern Studies offers students the opportunity to explore traditional disciplines through an interdisciplinary perspective that focuses on the significance of the American South and societies in the western hemisphere that directly affected its development as a region comprised of different cultures and peoples. Students study the American South and its history, politics, religious traditions, visual and musical images, languages, archeological past, natural environment, as well as its future. This concentration encourages students to examine the myths and realities of life in the South and to foster scholarly investigation of this unique and fascinating region in order to understand its place and role in the nation. While the immediate goal of a concentration in Southern Studies is to stimulate intellectual curiosity and to provide strategies for investigation of this region, the long term goal is to help Davidson students understand the universal by examining the particular and come to a greater understanding of the larger world.

Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of five courses or their equivalent to include:

a. One introductory course

ENG 281 - Literature Of The American South Credits: 1
HIS 343 - The Old South Credits: 1
HIS 344 - The South Since 1865 Credits: 1

b. At least one 300- or 400-level seminar

ART 402 - Capstone Seminar Credits: 1
HIS 440 - Slavery In The Americas Credits: 1
HIS 451 - African American Cultural History Credits: 1
HIS 455 - Law And Society In American History Credits: 1

c. Three electives chosen from the approved list of courses below.

One elective may be an independent study (390s), practicum, or summer internship undertaken with the approval of the Advisory Committee.

ANT 205 - Ethnic Relations Credits: 1
ANT 222 - African Civilizations Credits: 1
ANT 257 - The African Continuum Credits: 1
ECO 221 - Economic History of the United States Credits: 1
ENG 281 - Literature Of The American South Credits: 1
ENG 282 - African American Literature Credits: 1
ENG 383 - Caribbean Literature Credits: 1
FRE 361 - Francophone Africa And The Caribbean Credits: 1
HIS 302 - African American History To 1877 Credits: 1
HIS 303 - African American History Since 1877 Credits: 1
HIS 340 - Colonial America Credits: 1
HIS 343 - The Old South Credits: 1
HIS 344 - The South Since 1865 Credits: 1
HIS 346 - The Civil War And Reconstruction Credits: 1
HIS 357 - The Civil Rights Movement In The United States Credits: 1
HIS 440 - Slavery In The Americas Credits: 1
HIS 451 - African American Cultural History Credits: 1
HIS 455 - Law And Society In American History Credits: 1
MUS 122 - Music Of The United States Credits: 1
REL 361 - Religion In The American South Credits: 1
SOC 205 - Racial And Ethnic Relations Credits: 1
SPA 374 - Caribbean Peoples, Ideas, And Arts Credits: 1

2. Only two courses in the student’s major may be counted toward the concentration

Only two courses in the student’s major may be counted toward the concentration; no more than two courses in any one department may be counted toward the concentration; and no more than two courses focusing on the Caribbean may count toward this concentration.

3. A grade of “C-” or higher is required in all courses counted toward the concentration.

4. In addition

In addition many departments offer special topics courses that are or can be approved as electives for the Southern Studies Concentration. Please check with the faculty liaison for a complete listing and approvals when planning a program of study.

Application Procedures

The Southern Studies Concentration is administered by the Southern Studies Advisory Committee. The faculty liaison is Dr. C. Shaw Smith. Students shall submit a written application to the Advisory Committee by the end of fall semester of their junior year. The application will designate the courses to be used to satisfy concentration requirements. Any internship or course taken at another institution must be approved by the Advisory Committee. Certification of completion of all requirements for the concentration is made by the Registrar upon the recommendation of the Southern Studies Advisory Committee.