Southern Studies (MA)

Description

The M.A. in Southern studies is an intense, interdisciplinary course of study touching on all facets of Southern life, history, and culture. The program is the only one of its kind in the country, and students can study an array of Southern topics and issues, from Faulkner to the blues, from the Civil War to the civil rights movement, from folk art to fundamentalism.

Minimum Total Credit Hours: 30

Goals/Mission Statement

Through a variety of disciplines, including anthropology, art, history, literature, music, politics, religion, and sociology, Southern studies seeks to investigate the challenges and contributions of the region, in order to situate the South in the fabric of American life. The degree provides students with:

  1. a broad understanding of the South, its history, its culture, its potential;
  2. the training, experience, and methods necessary to conduct independent study;
  3. opportunities for individualized learning experiences through research and field work; and
  4. humanistic education that will be valuable in itself and as a basis for the practice of a variety of professions.

Course Requirements

Students earn the M.A. degree in Southern studies in one of three ways:

  1. the internship track, in which students complete a minimum of 36 hours of graduate coursework, including SSTU 6011, SSTU 6012, and SSTU 6030 (internship); or
  2. the thesis track, in which students complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework, including SSTU 6011 and SSTU 6012, and 6 hours of thesis (SSTU 6997A); or
  3. the documentary track, in which students complete a minimum of 30 hours of graduate coursework, including SSTU 6011, SSTU 6012, SSTU 5330, and either SSTU 5340 or SSTU 5370, and 6 hours of thesis (SSTU 6997A).

All students must take at least 3 credit hours each in at least two related disciplines (at least 6 hours total). Courses in related disciplines must be approved by the graduate adviser. Students are permitted to take a maximum of 12 credit hours in any single discipline other than Southern studies.

Other Academic Requirements

Thesis candidates must successfully complete a thesis defense. Nonthesis candidates will be required to make a colloquium presentation to their three-member committee, to which the public will be invited.