South Carolina

South Carolina has approximately 4.5 million residents, ranking it as the 24th most populated state. Most South Carolina residents identify as Caucasian (65 percent), followed by African American (28 percent), and Hispanic/Latino (4 percent). These social networks founded upon racial or ethnic identification are unique, with the Caucasian population only becoming the majority in the state during the 20th century. Previously, African American slaves and their descendants made up the majority of South Carolina's population.

Social networks in South Carolina can be traced back to the emergence of the state, with the majority of its original settlers of English descent. Social networks based upon religious practices became an early foundation for the new colony, as it became one of the first to actively encourage settlers of varying religious beliefs, such as Baptists, Quakers, and Jews. Social networks within the state go far beyond the realm of ethnicity and race, however, and include networks centered on sports, tourism, and education.

[Page 805]South Carolina's geography includes expansive beaches throughout the area, bringing together unique social networks. Charleston, Myrtle Beach, and other cities in South Carolina act as tremendous tourist attractions for the state, particularly during spring break. The warm weather attracts families and other visitors throughout the year, but spring break is an especially thriving time for the state's tourist social networks, as high school and college-age individuals from across the United States form a temporary social network as they convene among the beaches of South Carolina.

Entertainment options throughout South Carolina also create a number of social networks. The state has a number of music venues and traditions, including the South Carolina Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame. Entertainers and public figures from sports, music, film, and television have come from South Carolina as well, including “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Joe Frazier, Stephen Colbert, and Chubby Checker.

Social networks surrounding sports in South Carolina are different from those in most states, although they are just as noteworthy. South Carolina lacks major professional hockey, basketball, football, or baseball sports franchises; although the National Football League's Carolina Panthers and the National Hockey League's Carolina Hurricanes both represent both North and South Carolina, they are based solely in North Carolina. The resulting scarcity of social networks surrounding these sports franchises has placed an even greater emphasis on college sports.

The Clemson University Tigers and University of South Carolina Gamecocks both set attendance records, as their loyal social networks travel to home and away games to support the teams. The sport of NASCAR has been one of the most passionate social networks in popular sports and is also particularly important among South Carolina residents. The state has been host to several important NASCAR races, bringing a wide variety of individuals into the state to take part this social network. Golf is yet another important sport for the state of South Carolina, as its geography makes it an ideal location for this activity. Golf associations and communities have emerged in recent years throughout the state.

Education forms several important social networks within the state of South Carolina. As the state's oldest institution of higher learning founded in 1770, the College of Charleston has the distinction of being the first municipal college in the United States. While the College of Charleston still retains its identity as a liberal arts institution, it exceeded its beginnings as a small liberal arts college once it become a state-supported university in 1970 and, with its expansion, developed even more social networks. The University of South Carolina also expanded from humble beginnings, founded in 1801 as a small, state-funded college; the university has gone through many identity changes in its existence, with the subsequent, ever-changing social networks to prove it. The University of South Carolina has grown by leaps and bounds since it was founded and has become an important fixture for the state, including as the site of several student protests over political and social issues and being visited by several world leaders over the years.

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