JOHNSON CITY – When ETSU’s service-learning initiative combined forces this summer to create an experimental course, the “Cherokee Immersion Project,” the efforts of a number of persons in two departments and two colleges paid off handsomely.
Dr. Tom Coates, chair of the department of physical education, exercise and sport sciences; Joyce Duncan, humanities department; and nine students lived on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, N.C., for three weeks while working in service projects designed by the Cherokee People.
Working with Tommy Cabe of the Cherokee Office of Environmental Planning, the students assisted in the containment of water erosion while learning methods of controlling silt filtration into streams and skills for rerouting moving water.
The second project was a “hotly debated” archeological dig near the Kituwah mound, considered by traditionalists as the oldest known Cherokee site and sacred land. Students worked with tribal archeologist, Dr. Brett Riggs from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, to retrieve, sort and identify artifacts ranging from pottery shards and arrowheads to traditional game pieces and dwellings.
While in the field, students and instructors slept in tents and prepared their own meals, thus adding outdoor living and group dynamics skills to the service-learning mix.
The innovative course generated widespread interest, both on ETSU’s campus and in the news media, and student reaction to the Immersion Project was “overwhelmingly positive.” Duncan notes that not only did students gain an awareness of history and a relationship with another culture, they learned many things about themselves and their views of others.
Students commented that:
“I learned that stereotyping is not what needs to be done in society. We need to dig for the real facts and treat others as we want to be treated. Service is like a circle.”
“Being with a different culture has shown me the value of self-respect, respect of others and respect of nature. It has also shown me just how much people need to come together and work as one unit. When a group gets together to perform a service, it shows others outside that it takes everyone working together for things to be better.”
“Tomorrow will be a sad day as we go to our site for the last time. We have made so many friends that leaving will not be as easy as I once thought it would. I was able to obtain everything that I wanted. Not only from the native peoples, but from the people in my group. I gained a great deal of respect for them. I learned that all people are different from me and yet the same.”
“If only mankind could be like this. I know I am an idealist. I just wish everyone could see the different ‘colors’ of this planet and realize that just like an eagle feather, all colors are beautiful. It takes appreciation for each color and takes all colors for things to work in harmony.”
“I think the Cherokee are just like us. They aren’t ‘Indians’ like we see on TV, they are just people. The more time I spend with them, the more I realize the lack of difference in cultures.”
Coates and Duncan have been invited to present at the National Society for Experiential Education conference in Kissimee, Fla., this October on both the Cherokee Immersion Project and Coates’ annual Rocky Mountain Experience, a service-learning course working with the National Park Service in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Publication proposals for a variety of venues are also under consideration.
The two instructors hope the Cherokee Immersion Project will be added to ETSU’s permanent course offerings, with the next available opportunity scheduled for summer 2002. If approved, the course will carry four hours credit, three in humanities and one in physical education, exercise and sport sciences; will require an application and interview prior to registration; and will be listed as an elective in the Appalachian Studies minor. The PE portion of the course will fulfill core requirements for that department.
Applications will be accepted as early as this September and will continue to be accepted throughout this fall semester and next spring’s term. Plans are currently being discussed with the Cherokee People for service opportunities for summer 2002.

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