|
The
Case For Appalachian Studies
page 21
English
majors seldom if ever hear a word -- much less whole courses -- on
Appalachian literature.
Art majors in the region seldom if every study within these institutions
about the beauty, value and history of development of Appalachian
crafts.
Economics majors sitting right in the middle of the strip mining country
never hear a work about the economics of Appalachia and what strip
mining and the outside corporations mean to the economics of the region
and how economists might think of addressing the problems of the region.
Sociology majors sit for four years in institutions in the heart of
Appalachia and seldom hear a word about the different life patterns of
the Appalachian people.
Political science majors graduate without hearing a word about
Appalachian politics and the effect or non-effect it has had on the
plight of the people of the region around them.
Education majors never get any instruction of the special problems of
Appalachian youth and how to meet these problems with their teaching.
Medical students are taught to treat medulla tissue on the brain, but
know next to nothing about how to practice in rural areas.
Nursing students graduate with experience in urban and local hospitals,
but few have real training public health with field work in the region.
History majors learn about English history, Far Eastern history,
"American" history, Russian history, Latin American history
and, lately, sometimes "Black " history, but not a work about
Appalachian history.
next
- page 22 |
