The early chapters of Dolly Parton’s life recently played out on the small screen, with the next installment said to be focusing on the “Jolene” years (well, really just the song’s love triangle). Now the dao of Dolly is about to become part of the curriculum at the University of Tennessee. ABC affiliate WATE reports the country-music icon’s life will be taught in a class called “Course-Work: Dolly’s America.” And it doesn’t sound like students will just be marathoning 9 To 5 and Rhinestone—”Dolly’s America” is only being offered to history honors students, who will take it as the first of three thesis seminars that they’re required to take.
Parton’s 1994 memoir, Dolly: My Life And Other Unfinished Business, will be required reading for the students, who will also read other books on Appalachia. The Sevierville native responded to the news with her typical blend of grace and humor: