ORCID

0000-0002-0817-3390 (Waugh-Quasebarth)

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2025

DOI

10.5406/23288612.31.1.02

Publication Title

Journal of Appalachian Studies

Volume

31

Issue

1

Pages

7-32

Abstract

This introduction to the special issue, “Transformative Approaches to Materiality in Appalachian Studies,” provides theoretical background and examples that demonstrate applications of new material culture and materiality theory to key Appalachian studies themes. It offers new directions for the study of material entanglement in social relationships by reviewing the history of material culture studies in the Appalachian context, fundamental theoretical propositions emerging from the “material turn” in social theory, and examples drawn from ethnographic and archaeological research into the patterns of use of material culture in the timber country of West Virginia and coalfields of eastern Kentucky. Finally, this introduction summarizes key questions offered by the contributors and invites further discourse amongst scholars of Appalachia about the role of material culture and materiality in shaping our research and engaged practices.

Rights

Published as "Intoduction: Beyond Hollow Materialism." Journal of Appalachian Studies [31] ([1]). © 2025 by the Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois.

Original Publication Citation

Waugh-Quasebarth, J., & Komara, Z. (2025). Introduction: Beyond hollow materialism. Journal of Appalachian Studies, 31(1), 7-32. https://doi.org/10.5406/23288612.31.1.02

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