Southern Studies
Southern Studies provide a framework for a robust examination of the American South and Southern identity. This examination provides students with a nuanced understanding of the South as a distinctive place and culture, challenges reductive stereotypes about the South, and situates the region within its complex national and international contexts. Students in Southern studies practice and cultivate their skills in careful research, nuanced analysis, and strong writing, preparing them for a variety of paths after graduation. A strongly interdisciplinary program, the Southern Studies course offerings complement many academic majors and enables students to pursue interests in Southern folklife, music, religion, history, literature, politics, geography, and other topics.
For students considering graduate school, the Southern Studies minor offers many advantages. Supported by our award-winning faculty, students undertake advanced work and independent research, including hands-on experience accessing primary sources and archival materials. Undergraduates also establish valuable relationships by working with faculty whose research and teaching interests center on the South.