New Poets of Native Nations 4219-SC0019
The course is devoted to the latest poetry of North American Indians created in the 21st century. While the subject of the course is the latest poetry, its aim is to make students aware of the tradition of poetic expression present on the American continent before the first contact with European culture. The first classes will look at this particular work, while the next ones will be devoted to the development of the genre under the influence of European culture, in order to prepare the ground for the analysis of the changes that took place in indigenous poetry until it emerged as a specific one. While introducing new voices in indigenous poetry, the course will also pay tribute to established poets, returning after a long silence with new volumes.
The course is intended to familiarize students with the main topics addressed by indigenous poets: the place of the individual in the surrounding world, the celebration of indigenous identity, the problem of assimilation and life in the modern world, as well as, recently, issues of gender identity. We will look at topics recurrent with every generation, such as mourning the loss of a former way of life, the feeling of emptiness in the face of the climate crisis, or restoration of balance after trauma, trying to find the reasons for their importance. The aim of the course is also to ask questions about the specificity of indigenous poetry in comparison with mainstream poetry, as well as the role of tradition and the legacy of the oral tradition in its creation. Another goal is to reflect on the role of poetry, which in the indigenous context goes beyond the field of art through poets' engagement with social and political issues. Part of the classes will be devoted to translation aspects that encourage reflection on the limits of language in the translation of cultural specificity.
Scope of class topics:
Main concepts – Native American poetry, Indianness, assimilation/acculturation, ethnicity/race
- oral tradition
- representation
- identity
- sovereignty (intellectual)
- tribe/family/clan/community
- nature
Type of course
Mode
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, the student:
KNOWLEDGE
- Acknowledges the uniqueness of Indian poetry
- Understands the phenomenon of oral tradition and its influence on the written word
- Recognizes the main motifs in Indian poetry
- Conceptualizes the role of spirituality in Indian culture
- Uses basic terms in poetry analysis
SKILLS
- Is able to critically analyze indigenous poetry through the prism of the concept of Indianness
- Has advanced skills in presenting conclusions during classes
- Has the ability to formulate a research question in the field of Indian poetry
- Properly uses tools for literary analysis
- Identifies the relationships between indigenous poetry and mainstream poetry
- Has an opinion on the position of indigenous poets in both the indigenous and general canon
- Is qualified to write an essay in the field of literary studies
SOCIAL COMPETENCE
- Is open to the uniqueness of ethnic minority literature
- Shows respect for indigenous beliefs and customs
- Is sensitive to the confessional nature of indigenous poetry
Assessment criteria
1. Attendance and participation in class activities 30% of the final grade
2. Final essay 40% of the final grade
3. Weekly written responses 30% of the final grade
To pass the course it is necessary to obtain 60%. Failure to complete any of the main tasks will result in failing the course.
Scale:
0-60 - 2
61-68 - 3
69-76 - 3.5
77-84 - 4
85-92 - 4.5
93-100 – 5
Bibliography
Poetry collections:
Billy Ray Belcourt "This Wound is a World"; Natalie Diaz "Postcolonial Love Poem"; Joy Harjo "Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light"; Linda Hogan "Rounding the Human Corners", "Indios"; LeAnne Howe "Evidence of Red"; Layli LongSoldier "Whereas"; Tommy Pico "Feed, "Nature Poem"; Karenne Wood "Markings on Earth", "Weaving the Boundary"; smokii sumac "you are enough: poems for the end of the world"
Anthologies
"New Poets of native Nations", ed. Heid E. Erdrich
"When the Light of the World Was Subdued, Our Songs Came Through
A Norton Anthology of Native Nations Poetry", ed. Joy Harjo
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: