Undergraduate Certificate in Kentucky Studies

The Undergraduate Certificate in Kentucky Studies provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the cultural and natural history and resources of the Commonwealth. The certificate program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to study the Commonwealth from multidisciplinary perspectives, enhances student learning by providing insight into Kentucky life, and fosters in students an appreciation for the unique character of the Commonwealth. As we prepare to meet the national and global challenges of the 21st century, Kentuckians need more than ever to have a clear and informed knowledge of what the state offers both its own citizens and the world.

Western Kentucky University boasts a wealth of resources in the area of Kentucky Studies. A number of departments offer upper-level courses that specifically relate to the Commonwealth’s geography, history, economy, and culture. Other courses address topics relevant to Kentucky. Many of Western’s faculty members are noted experts on Kentucky topics, frequently consulted by scholars and journalists from around the world. The Anthropology Lab, Ogden College of Science and Engineering, Educational Resources Center, and the Helm-Cravens Library maintain reference collections related to Kentucky. The Helm-Cravens Library also collects government documents created by the State and Federal governments relating to Kentucky. In addition, the Kentucky Building is recognized internationally as one of the premier reference centers for information concerning the Commonwealth.

The Certificate in Kentucky Studies is available for students pursing any major. However, this certificate may be of interest to students pursuing majors or minors in a wide variety of disciplines, including anthropology, agriculture, biology, business, education, English, folk studies, geography, geology, history, political science, public health, recreation, religious studies, social work, and sociology.

Objectives:

The objectives of the Certificate in Kentucky Studies program include:

• Providing students with the opportunity to study the Commonwealth of Kentucky from multiple perspectives, emphasizing cultural and natural history and resources.
• Enhancing student learning by providing insight into Kentucky life, enriching the understanding of both natives and outsiders.
• Fostering in students an appreciation for the unique character of the Commonwealth.

The Undergraduate Certificate in Kentucky Studies requires completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours, including 9 credit hours from core courses (HIST 456 and two courses representing different disciplines selected from ANTH 430, 432, 434; ENG 494, 498; GEOG 451; PS 412) and 3 credit hours from contextual courses (ANTH 378; FLK 281, 378; HIST 457, 458; JOUR 321; RELS 330).

Faculty:

Faculty oversight for the Undergraduate Certificate in Kentucky Studies lies with the Kentucky Studies Committee, an interdisciplinary committee composed of faculty members with expertise in the history and resources – both cultural and natural – of Kentucky. Current Kentucky Studies Committee members include: Nancy Baird (Chair), Darlene Applegate, Erika Brady, and Mary Ellen Miller.

Curriculum:

The proposed certificate requires completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours, including 9 credit hours from core courses and 3 credit hours from contextual courses. The content of the core courses is devoted exclusively to Kentucky issues; the contextual courses have substantial content related to Kentucky issues. [prerequisites are indicated for each course; asterisks indicate General Education courses]

Required core course (3 credit hours):

• HIST 456 Kentucky History [none]

Additional core courses; select two courses representing different disciplines (6 credit hours):

• ANTH 430 Kentucky Archaeology [ANTH 130*]
• ANTH 432 Field Course in Archaeology [ANTH 130*]
• ANTH 434 Graveyard Archaeology [none]
• ENG 494 Kentucky Literature [none]
• ENG 498 Robert Penn Warren Seminar [ENG 200*, 300*]
• GEOG 451 Geography of Kentucky [none]
• PS 412 Kentucky Government and Politics [PS 110*]

Contextual Coures; Select one course (3 credit hours):

• ANTH 378 Southern Appalachian Folklife [none] (Cross-listed as FLK 378)
• FLK 281 Roots of Southern Culture [none]
• HIST 457 Old South [none]
• HIST 458 New South [none]
• JOUR 321 Public Affairs Reporting [JOUR 201, 202]
• RELS 330 Religion in the American South [none]

For more information, contact:

Professor Nancy Baird
202 Kentucky Library
(270) 745-6258
nancy.baird@wku.edu

Updated August 9, 2005