SOCY Y 355
Minority Group Relations

Summer 2003

Aimee Tidwell contemplates buying one of the internationally respected Gullah sweet grass baskets at De Gullah Creations.

Patricia Jarrett was a tremendous asset during the interactive lecture series.  Pat always seems to connect with others in a positive way and students enjoy her personality and charm.

Johnnie P. Mitchell (L) and Daniel de Souza (R)

 Daniel, a USCB-HH student from Brazil, was excited to learn more  about Gullah culture and language.  Daniel is working toward the goal of attaining a doctorate and teach at the university level either in the United States or Brazil.

Management of Las Palapas Restaurant was pleased to invite USCB-HH students for an interactive study of Hispanic culture.  Las Palapas Restaurant is located adjacent to the USCB-HH campus at One College Center Drive, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Shellita (Lisa) Marshall (L)

Lisa seemed to attract plenty of attention from her niece and a friend at Las Palapas.  Lisa plans to major in Law and is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dr. Charles W. Jarrett invited Johnnie P. Mitchell to meet with students from the University of South Carolina Beaufort at Hilton Head each week during the month of June, 2003. Dr. Jarrett's students engaged in an interactive study of Gullah culture and language as partial fulfillment of course requirements in his Minority Group Relations class at USCB-HH.  Students from Dr. Jarrett's course attended interactive class meetings to learn about the history and cultural heritage of Native Sea Islanders.  THANK YOU Johnnie for directing our interactive studies at De Gullah Creations. 

Dr. Jarrett's class was offered many opportunities for dialogue and questions about Gullah culture and language. Question and answer exchanges were informative, fun, and challenging for students interested in meeting and establishing a repartee with Native Islanders.  Students were provided an opportunity to pick and choose various topics of study with one requirement, students were required to interact with members of the Gullah community living on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

The students exhibited energy and enthusiasm for the class project. An interactive study of this nature meant extra time in the field and plenty of work on weekends. Students attended 'a special interactive lecture series" at De Gullah Creations located at the Shelter Cove Mall on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Please visit De Gullah Creations on your next visit to Hilton Head.  Proceeds of sales go toward the preservation of Gullah culture and language.  Ask for Johnnie and tell her Charles sent you...

Interested in learning more about Gullah culture?  Visit De Gullah Creations ... ask for Johnnie P. Mitchell.

      Tell Johnnie you learned about De Gullah Creations from this Web Site!

What the Students Have to Say

Tim O'Sullivan “ I really appreciate Dr. Jarrett's 'interactive learning process' and the open discussions that take place in class.  I plan to graduate next fall and there's no way I should have left this campus without learning about Gullah culture and language.  Thank you Dr. Jarrett!"

Daniel de Souza "I enjoy interactive classes and instructors who allow students the freedom to explore issues of cultural diversity.  The best part of this class involved my opportunity to tell others about my homeland -- Brazil. I had never heard of Gullah/Geehee people prior to attending Dr. Jarrett's Minority Group Relations class.  I felt that Dr. Jarrett's style of teaching was a major addition to my experiences at the University of South Carolina Beaufort at Hilton Head." Keep up the good work Dr. Jarrett!

Aimee Tidwell "American people relate to different cultures and ethnic groups in many ways.  I'm personally glad our class was able to meet with Gullah/Geechee people and begin to understand the world from their point of view.  That's the thing, I was able to interact with Gullahs and begin to 'see the world' from their perspective.  I really thought this class added to my overall educational experience at the University of South Carolina.  I hope Dr. Jarrett will continue teaching at USCB-HH during the summer."

Tamara Dehbozorgi “I enjoyed taking this class and learning about a unique and distinctive culture so different from my own.  I was impressed with the interactive lecture series and the opportunities provided for initiating our own learning experiences.  Race & Ethnic Relations was one of my favorite classes to this point.  I hope Dr. Jarrett is able to teach additional sociology courses at USCB-HH.  Thanks Dr. Jarrett!”

Shellita (Lisa) Marshall “I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about taking a course entitled Race and Ethnic Relations.  However, Dr. Jarrett encouraged me to participate and allowed me the freedom to do so at my own pace.  I found the other class members to be good listeners, and -all in all - the class became one of my all-time favorites in terms of content and emotional involvement.  Dr. Jarrett does a wonderful job directing the class toward goals that are meaningful.  In fact, some of my best friends are now in that class!"