Major Themes in Native American Literature 4219-SC068
The course is an introduction to Native American literature with emphasis on themes and issues prevalent throughout its development. The structure of the works and narration techniques typical of Native American prose, originating in the oral tradition, will also be the focus of our attention. In addition to chosen literary works of prominent contemporary native American writers (e.g N. Scott Momaday, Leslie Marmon Silko, Louise Erdrich, James Welch, Sherman Alexie, Louis Owens, Simon Ortiz) we will discuss examples of Indian ceremonial chants and oratory, creation stories of various tribes and early critical writings and journals, as well as view two films based on analyzed novels.
Topics covered:
- Key concepts
- American Indian literature, Indianness, reservation, assimilation/acculturation, ethnicity/race, becoming white, racism,-oral tradition-narration
-Native American Renaissance
-conversion/Christian influence
-boarding schools
-Trickster (figures)
-Indian humor
-tribe/family/clan.
Type of course
Mode
Learning outcomes
1. KNOWLEDGE
- the ability to critically use the concept of Indianness
- knowledge of various themes/ figures in American Indian literature
- the ability to recognize the specificity of Native American Literature within mainstream literature
- the understanding of the role of oral tradion in Native American Literature and Culture
- basic understading of the dynamics of Indian-Anglo relations
2. SKILLS
- the ability to reognize the cultural dependency of Native American literature
- basic research skills in Native American Literature
- improved skills in critical analysis of texts
- awareness of different forms of orature and their role in Native American culture
- ability to notices the inspiration by oral tradition in contemporary literture
3. SOCIAL COMPETENCES
- the ability to plan and carry out research in Native American culture
- the ability to help others in understanding the specificity of Native American Literature
- respect towards Native American beliefs and rituals
- the competence to dentifiy dilemmas concerning the development of Native American Literature
Assessment criteria
1. Attendance and active participation in class discussions and other activities - 10% of the final grade.
2. In class presentation - 20 % of the final grade.
3. Response papers - 30% of the final grade.
4. Final paper - 40% of the final grade.Students will need 60% minimum to pass the class. Failure to attempt to complete any of the major assignment will result in failure of the class.
Gradingscale:
0-60 - 2
61-68 - 3
69-76 - 3,5
77-84 - 4
85-92 - 4,5
93-100 - 5
Bibliography
Sources (selection): N. Scott Momaday, Leslie Marmon Silko, Louise Erdrich, James Welch, Sherman Alexie, Louis Owens, Simon Ortiz
Secondary sources (selection): Zitkala-Sa, American Indian Stories, Charles Alexander Eastman, From the Deep Woods to Civilization, Paula Gunn Allen The Sacred Hoop, Studies in American Indian Literature, Joy Porter, The Cambridge Companion to Native American Literature, John Prudy, Writing Indian. Native Conversations, David Treuer,Native American Fiction; A User's Manual, Karl Kroeber, Native American Storytelling
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: