From small farms to urban neighborhoods, from the region itself to the more distant worlds of the southern diaspora, we discover the stories, music, and art of the American South.
Offered By
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
About this Course
19,293 recent views
Learners taking this Course are
- Translators
- Writers
- Customer Care Reps
- Teachers
- Project Managers
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Week
11 hour to complete
Introduction to the American South
Reflecting on geography, the diaspora, the mythic and the global South as ways to approach the contested memory of the region.
6 videos (Total 29 min), 1 quiz
6 videos
The Region, the Diaspora, and the Mythic4m
Contested Memory and the Global South5m
Race, Class and Gender5m
My Story5m
Teachers4m
1 practice exercise
Introduction to the American South20m
Week
21 hour to complete
Oral Tradition
Considering the content and form of the stories, toasts, dozens, auctions and religious sermons and what they reveal about Southern Culture.
8 videos (Total 40 min), 1 quiz
8 videos
Poppa Jazz talks Heaven and Hell6m
Toasts and Dozens4m
The Auctioneer5m
Trading4m
The Sermon3m
Of the Book and of the Spirit3m
The Key to Southern Culture8m
1 practice exercise
Oral Tradition20m
Week
31 hour to complete
Southern Artists
Understanding the distinction between folk art traditions and the high art of the academy with examples of basket-weaving, quilt-making, sculpture, painting, and photography.
11 videos (Total 50 min), 1 quiz
11 videos
Basket Weaving4m
Quilting4m
Folk Sculpture4m
Folk Painting4m
Community Tradition1m
Black and White Photography6m
Color Photography5m
Sense of Place5m
Sense of History6m
Literature's Influence3m
1 practice exercise
Southern Artists20m
Week
41 hour to complete
Southern Writers
Examining the lives and works of great Southern writers and looking at how specific stories, music, and art are referenced and provide structure for literary forms such as the novel and the short story.
7 videos (Total 39 min), 1 quiz
7 videos
The Voice4m
The Short Story4m
Eudora Welty and Cleanth Brooks: Literary Friends9m
Southern Novelists3m
Alice Walker: Regions of the Heart4m
The Question of Black Humanity9m
1 practice exercise
Southern Writers20m
4.4
68 ReviewsTop reviews from The American South: Its Stories, Music, and Art
One of the greatest courses I ever followed!\n\nInteresting, documentary, not even one minute boring, very well organized and easy to follow.\n\nMusic is part of our history.
Bill Ferris is a wealth of knowledge and experience - I only regret missing out on the classroom dynamic of a Ferris-led discussion of Southern arts, particularly the Blues.
Instructor
Dr. William Ferris
Joel R. Williamson Eminent Professor of History; Senior Associate Director of CSAS; Adjunct Professor in the Curriculum in FolkloreDepartment of History
About The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the nation’s first public university, is known around the world for innovative teaching and research. Regularly ranked as the nation’s best value for academic quality, UNC has produced the most Rhodes Scholars for the past 25 years among U.S. public research universities.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
Once you enroll for a Certificate, you’ll have access to all videos, quizzes, and programming assignments (if applicable). Peer review assignments can only be submitted and reviewed once your session has begun. If you choose to explore the course without purchasing, you may not be able to access certain assignments.
What will I get if I purchase the Certificate?
When you purchase a Certificate you get access to all course materials, including graded assignments. Upon completing the course, your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile. If you only want to read and view the course content, you can audit the course for free.
What is the refund policy?
Is financial aid available?
More questions? Visit the Learner Help Center.