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Georgia Southern University

Y'all Think We're Stupid: Deconstructing Media Stereotypes of The American South

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>This study examines the various stereotypes that persist about the American South, giving consideration to the common stereotypes, their persistence, and the response of Southerners and non-Southerners to them. Further, it aims to examine in-depth the methods by which these stereotypes are perpetuated, such as literature, movies, television, and music. Within this dissertation, pieces of literature by traditional Southern authors, like William Faulkner and Tennessee Williams, are examined for the images they employ. Further, films such as Deliverance and Sweet Home Alabama, as well as television shows like The Dukes of Hazzard and The Beverly Hillbillies are analyzed for how they convey stereotypes about the South. Lastly, music of all genres, though primarily country, is considered for the images it conveys. The major aim of this study is not only to reveal these stereotypes but also to deconstruct them.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Doctor of Education in Curriculum Studies (Ed.D.)
Level thesis:degree_level
Dissertation (open access)
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Department of Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading
Year dc:date.available
2009

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Hamilton, Karen C.
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dan Chapman
  • Ming Fang He
  • Patrick Novotny

Subjects

dc:subject × 10

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/491
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu:etd-1491

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Georgia Southern University
Base URL
digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Hamilton, Karen C.. Y'all Think We're Stupid: Deconstructing Media Stereotypes of The American South. Dissertation (open access) thesis, 2009. https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/etd/491