Common Academic Experience: Storming Heaven

Missing teeth, family feuds, junked cars. Just a few of the truckload of disparaging images assigned to “Tennessee trash” and other Southern Appalachians.

Ed Francisco, English professor and writer-in-residence at Pellissippi State, will discuss the negative characteristics this region is labeled with and how to change outsiders’ perceptions.

His presentation, “Appalachian Stereotypes in Literature, Film and Popular Culture,” takes place at the Blount County Center October 27, 2:30-3:30 p.m., and the Division Street Campus November 3, also 2:30-3:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend.

“I will talk about some stereotypes that people outside the region have about us—and how we unfortunately often reinforce them,” Francisco said. “There are times we should talk back to those stereotypes.”

Francisco’s presentation is part of this year’s Common Academic Experience, which revolves around the book “Storming Heaven” by Denise Giardina. The novel is the story of a coal company’s impact on a small West Virginia town of the early 1900s.

“Southern Appalachia continues to be the poorest, least educated, least healthy part of the country,” Francisco said. “Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg exploit the hillbilly stereotype—the lazy, barefoot, shiftless hillbilly. A lot of people have made a lot of money exploiting that image—Minnie Pearl and ‘The Beverly Hillbillies,’ for instance.”

Dispelling the stereotype, he says, starts at home. Appalachians don’t have to give up their identity, but at the same time, they don’t have to surrender to the worst aspects of that identity. More and better education and cultivation of a culture in which “it’s not cool to be dumb” are part of the solution.

To learn more about Francisco’s presentation and other events related to the Common Academic Experience, contact the English Department at 694-6708.

Please take a look at faculty and staff recommendations for next year’s Common Book selection.

There you will find a list of 42 books consisting of many topics and of varied publication dates.  The page includes information and reviews for each book.

The 2010 Common Book Submissions page provides an opportunity for additional feedback:

• Rate the book of your preference by clicking on the stars after each book title and mark your rating of each book.
• Leave your comments with regard to a book on the page by clicking on any of the Comments links  at the bottom of any of the page “boxes”.  We will publish your comments on the selection page as well as on this blog for additional collaboration in considerations about next year’s book selection.

Please know that your ratings and comments will be read and considered as the Common Book Committee meets next semester and makes its selection for next year.

Missed this Common Book Event: Appalachian Coal Families?

Watch it here:

Coal. It’s a four-letter word for some and bread on the table for others. Pellissippi State Community College invites the community to take part in an open roundtable discussion: “Appalachian Coal Families,” Thursday, Oct. 22, 12:50-1:50 p.m. in the Goins Building Auditorium at the Pellissippi Campus on Hardin Valley Road. College faculty and staff who share experiences in coal-mining and related industries will speak, then the floor will open to the audience. The discussion is part of the college’s 2009 Common Academic Experience, which revolves around the book “Storming Heaven”- Denise Giardina’s novel about a coal company’s impact on a small West Virginia town of the early 1900s-and the broader topic of the environment. Visitors may park for free in any lot designated “Open.”

The next event in the series is a presentation by Ed Francisco, English professor and writer-in-residence, entitled “Appalachia Stereotypes in Literature, Film, and the Popular Culture.” Francisco will speak on Oct. 27, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Blount County Center, and again on Nov. 3, 2:30-3:30 p.m., at the Division Street Campus.  For more information contact the English Department at (865) 694-6708.

Missed the Common Book Event: Something’s  Rising?

Watch it here: