Dolly Parton Inspires New College Class ‘Dolly Parton’s America’
Dolly Parton is the subject of a new class at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. Titled “Dolly Parton’s America: From Sevierville to the World,” the course is part of the school’s honors history program and uses her life story to inspire students and help them understand historic events.
Students will study Parton’s autobiography Dolly: My Life, as well as TV shows like The Beverly Hillbillies and movies like Coal Miner’s Daughter, to examine how Appalachian people have been portrayed in pop culture and what can be learned from it.
The Country Music Hall of Fame member, business woman and philanthropist is a well known advocate for education. Once voted by her high school as least likely to succeed, Parton went on to become the region’s most famous success story, even earning an honorary doctorate from UT Knoxville in 2009.
Parton released her latest album Pure & Simple last summer.