A new booklet written by Mississippi State students is introducing Southern culture to graduate students attending the university from other countries.
"Inside Mississippi: A Student Perspective" addresses such topics as language, food, family traditions, music, and other aspects of life in the state and region.
Sue S. Minchew, one of the university's John Grisham Master Teachers, developed and edited the 83-page publication, which includes more than 20 pages of color photographs.
A faculty member for more than 25 years, Minchew conceived the idea after serving as an instructor in the university's training program for international teaching assistants. The assistant professor of curriculum and instruction said she had problems with an American culture orientation handbook used in the course--a book written by a Midwesterner.
"The book's descriptions did not give an accurate picture of the Southern lifestyle," said Minchew, a Tupelo native who grew up in Isola.
As a result, she approached upperclass students in her advanced composition class with the idea of producing a regionally focused replacement.
Most majoring in either English or English education, the 16 student writers hail from Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee, or Texas. [Complete list on page 2.]
"They enthusiastically accepted the challenge and began to discuss and research appropriate topics," Minchew said. "They interviewed Mississippians with experience or expertise, and even added a section called "Other Perspectives" that included interviews with students, faculty and teaching assistants who are not state natives."
Funding was provided through the school's Schillig Special Teaching Projects program, the College of Arts and Sciences Academic Excellence Fund and the English department.
"While seeing their writing in print gave the students a great sense of pride and accomplishment, sharing the booklet with international students was even more rewarding, Minchew said. "It embodies cross-cultural sharing, the kind of hospitality for which Mississippi is famous."