ANTH 317 Q Gullah Culture and Identity - 3 credits

Understanding the Gullah (Geechee) community is crucial to understanding ethnic identity construction in the United States, particularly in the South. This course examines the culture and identity of Gullah (Geechee) culture in the United States by exploring issues and concepts pertaining to African retentions, creolization, and hybridity. It specifically interrogates how historical developments, such as Slavery, rice farming, and isolation from mainland USA gave rise to the Gullah (Geechee) culture. We will also explore the connections between Africa (particularly West Africa), the Caribbean, and Gullah (Geechee) culture by exploring linguistic practices, foodways, folk rituals, gender, and spiritual beliefs. Ultimately, this course will enable students to engage in experiential learning by allowing them to use anthropological research methods and skills to conduct ethnographic research in the Gullah (Geechee) community.
Semester(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer