Dr. Tom Shields GCB 1031  (252) 328-6715 ShieldsE@mail.ecu.edu

Class Hours: Office Hours:

Tu/Th 11:00-12:15 p.m. (Bate 1012) Tu/Th 10:00-10:45 a.m.  Tu-Th 2:30-3:15 p.m.  W 5:30-6:30 p.m.  Others by appointment

North Carolina Studies (NCST) 2000
"Introduction to North Carolina Studies"
(Fall 2003, Sect. 001)

The purpose of this course is to explore the history and culture of North Carolina in relationship to the features of the state, including its specific geography, geology, and biology.

The course is presently being put onto ECU’s Blackboard system. (The Blackboard Gateway <http://ecu.blackboard.com/> is also available through the Quicklinks dropdown list on the ECU homepage <http://www.ecu.edu>.) Until then, updates to the syllabus can be found at the class web site, <http://core.ecu.edu/engl/shieldse/ncst2000/home.htm>.

TEXTS:

The following is the required text for the course:

Orr, Douglas M., Jr., and Alfred W. Stuart. The North Carolina Atlas: Portrait for a New Century. Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina P, 2000.

CLASS SCHEDULE:

Unless otherwise indicated, all reading assignments are from The North Carolina Atlas.

Date		Assignment
August	28	Introduction
September	2	Land Regions and Geology Introduction, 1-7. Bobyarchick and Diemer, “Land Regions and Geology,” 10-21.
	4	Land Regions and Geology Bobyarchick and Diemer, “Land Regions and Geology,” 10-21.
	9	Water Resorces Forsythe, “Water Resources,” 303-25.
	11	Weather and Climate Robinson, “Weather and Climate,” 21-30.
	16	Water Resources (Guest Speaker, Scott Wade, Geography) Forsythe, “Water Resources,” 303-25.
	18	HURRICANE ISABEL—Class Canceled
	23	Vegetation Cooper, “Vegetation,” 31-39.
	25	Catch Up and Review
	30	EXAM #1
October	2	Resources for the Study of North Carolina Meet in 1020 Joyner Library with Maury York, North Carolina Collection
	7	North Carolina Native Societies Stephen R. Claggett , "North Carolina's First Colonists: 12,000 Years Before Roanoke," North Carolina Archaeology, <http://www.arch.dcr.state.nc.us/1stcolo.htm>. "The Prehistory of North Carolina A Basic Cultural Sequence," North Carolina Archaeology, <http://www.arch.dcr.state.nc.us/basicseq.htm>.
	9	North Carolina History to the Civil War Goldfield, “History,” 47-58.
	14	Fall Break
	16	North Carolina History from the Civil War to the Early 20^th Century Goldfield, “History,” 58-68.
	21	North Carolina History in the 20^th Century Goldfield, “History,” 68-76.
	23	Historical Archaeology in North Carolina
	28	North Carolina Population Patterns Ives and Stuart, “Population,” 77-102.
	30	North Carolina Population Patterns Ives and Stuart, “Population,” 77-102.
November	4	Catch Up and Review
	6	EXAM #2
	11	North Carolina Politics Lyons, “Government and Politics,” 245-82
	13	North Carolina Politics Lyons, “Government and Politics,” 245-82
	18	Early North Carolina Literature The Mecklenburg Censor, “A Modern Poem” (handout/online) COUNTY PORTRAITS DUE
	20	Modern North Carolina Literature Doris Betts, “The Ugliest Pilgrim” (handout/online) Randall Kenan, “The Foundations of the Earth” (handout/online)
	25	North Carolina Folklore
	27	Thanksgiving Break
December	2	GROUP REPORTS
	4	GROUP REPORTS
	9	Catch Up and Review
	16	FINAL EXAM (11:00 am-1:30 pm)

ASSIGNMENTS AND POLICIES:

Grades:
Grades will be determined by three non-cumulative examinations, a research project, a group report, and in-class reading responses to the assignments. The breakdown of the final grade is as follows:

Examination #1	20%
Examination #2	20%
Examination #3	20%
Research Project	20%
Group Report	10%
Reading Responses	10%
	100%

Examinations:
The three non-cumulative examinations will be based on the assigned readings and notes from class lectures. Each examination will consist of several short response questions that will take from one sentence to one paragraph to answer in addition to one longer (2-3 paragraph) essay.

EXAMINATION DATES: September 30, November 6, and December 16.

Research Project:
"Portrait of a County": Each student will choose a county about which to research and write a 4-5 page description. These descriptions will give a broad introduction to the county (location, population, predominant cities and towns, geographical features, etc.) and then will portray the county by telling about interesting features in at least three different areas of study we have covered this semester.  For example, one might tell an interesting story from the county's history, might tell something interesting about the county's wildlife, and might describe a particular piece of folklore or culture from the county. The portrait will then tell how all of these elements fit together. In addition, each student will need at least one picture or other graphic to help illustrate the portrait.  For examples, see past projects available through the course home page or the sample portrait of Pasquotank County done by Dr. Shields <http://core.ecu.edu/engl/shieldse/ncst2000/2001/Psquotnk.htm>.

The portraits will be added to those already on the class web site.  For that reason, students are asked to turn in an electronic copy as well as a paper copy of the project—either on a 3½" disk or via an e-mail attachment. If possible, the illustration should be turned in electronically as well. DUE DATE: November 18.

Group Projects:
Students will work in groups of 3-4 to introduce to the rest of the class a section of The North Carolina Atlas not assigned for class during the semester. These will be ten minute oral presentations that can include PowerPoint, handouts, or other materials. The group will be required to 1-2 pieces of information, examples, etc., that are not included in the reading. DUE DATE: Groups will be assigned a day to give their reports the week of December 2-4.

Reading Responses:
Occasionally, students will be asked write short (no more than one paragraph) responses to reading assignments. These responses may ask you to raise questions you have about the reading, your reaction to specific parts of the assignment, connections between the assignment and others topics discussed during the semester, etc.