Higher Learning: University of Tennessee Offers “Dolly Parton Honors Class”

by Jim Casey | @TheJimCasey | April 13, 2017

The University of Tennessee has finally recognized something we’ve known for years: Dolly Parton = higher learning.

Since the Fall 2016 semester, Dolly has been the subject of an honors class—”Course-Work: Dolly’s America”—at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, which is about 30 miles northwest of her hometown in Sevierville, Tenn.

The class is offered to honors history students. Materials assigned for the class include Dolly Parton’s book, Dolly: My Life, and other books about Appalachia like Hillbilly and Dear Appalachia. The wider watch list includes a range of media like the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies and trailers for Roots, Saturday Night Fever and Coal Miner’s Daughter—pop culture sources that are generally overlooked by historians. Students keep journals, making notes on topics like the perceptions of Appalachia in pop culture. At the end of the class, each student writes a 10-page work answering the question “What was Dolly Parton’s America?”

A few days ago, Dolly tweeted about the ongoing class.

From the girl voted in High School ‘least likely to succeed’ this sure is a blessing! https://t.co/3EnB8ixB4f

— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) April 10, 2017

Blogs

Chase McDaniel believes that listening to music in real-time can have a significant impact on listeners, rather than letting an algorithm choose what they hear. The new country artist recalls three life-changing moments he’s had while hearing songs on country radio, and McDaniel hopes his first radio single, "Burned Down Heaven," has a similar effect…

Chase McDaniel Shares Insight Into His Debut Radio Single, “Burned Down Heaven”

Lainey Wilson will make her feature film debut in the Universal adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s best-selling novel, Reminders of Him. The Grammy-winning country superstar will join a star-studded cast that includes Maika Monroe, Tyriq Withers, Rudy Pankow, and Lauren Graham, with the film set to be directed by Vanessa Caswill. This won’t be Wilson’s first…

Lainey Wilson Set To Make Feature Film Debut In Colleen Hoover’s ‘Reminders Of Him’

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don't ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don't wake up and hit a gravity bong…

Kacey Musgraves Says She Still Smokes Weed, Reveals She’s Working On New Music

In a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Kacey Musgraves clarified her previous comments on her marijuana use, revealing that she still smokes, though not to the extent she did when she was younger. “I never said I don’t ever partake,” says the 36-year-old singer. “I just don’t wake up and hit a gravity bong…

Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the '80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…

Reba McEntire Thanks Her Fans For Her Legendary Music Career

Reba McEntire has been one of the top female country stars since the ’80s, but she realizes she wouldn’t be anywhere without the support of her dedicated fans. In the new Variety cover feature on McEntire as part of their Power Of Women Nashville issue, the 70-year-old country music icon says she owes everything to…

In a new interview with Variety for their Power of Women Nashville issue, Sheryl Crow reflected on the evolving landscape of women in music, while celebrating the rise of young and talented female musicians. “The caliber of writing is just so good with Chappell Roan, Olivia Rodrigo, and Phoebe Bridgers, and these women are not…