Introduction to Literature
of the American Indian

 ENGL/AIS 142
Dr. Debra K.S. Barker

English Dept.

American Indian Studies Dept.

course homepage

 description

schedule

links & handouts

Proposed Reading Schedule

January
Wiotehika Wi
"Moon of Frost in the Tipi"

  Week 1           Jan 21-23

·        Introduction to the course and each other

·        Topics: Lakota culture, introduction to Waterlily

·        Assignment: Prepare Waterlily: Preface to and including Ch 5.

·        Recommended reading:  Trout, xvii-xxvii

Note:  This is a proposed reading schedule, subject to amendments.  I may need to make changes as the semester progresses, but I will alert you to note such changes on your calendars.

"STORIES OF THE PAST"  

  Week 2           Jan  28-30

·        Due:  Autobiography

·        Prepare:  Waterlily, Chs 6-10

·        Prepare:  Waterlily, Chs 11-14  

·        Discuss: The Sun Dance ceremony

·        Activity: Formation of clan groups

·        Watch video--The Native Americans, III

February
Cannapopa Wi
"Moon of the Dark Red Calf"

  Week 3           Feb 4-6

·        Prepare: Waterlily, Chs 15 to p. 244

·        Due: Thursday.  Response paper to the video.

·        Thursday: In-class essay on Waterlily

  Week 4           Feb 11-13

·        Topic: Final wrap up of Waterlily?

·        Topic: Tribal Stories--Origin and Trickster Stories

·        Prepare: "How the Sioux Came to Be," “Earthmaking,” “Myth of Creation,” “Well Baked Man,” “White Buffalo Calf Woman” (Handout); Trout:  "The Creation or Age of Beginning: Dine (Navajo); Origin Myths," "White Bead Woman Marries the Sun" and "The Story of the Twin Brothers and the Giant Yeitso,"

  Week 5           Feb 18-20

·        Topic: Tribal Stories, con'd                        

·        Prepare: "Raven Steals the Light," "The Origin of Eternal Death," "The Fawn, the Wolves, and the Terrapin,"  "Naanabozho and the Gambler.”

·        Prepare:  Lakota Trickster stories:“What’s This My Balls for Your Dinner?,” “Coyote and Wasichu,”“Coyote, Iktome, and  the Rock.” (Handouts).

·        Discuss the upcoming exam.

"STORIES FROM PRESENT-DAY WRITERS:
SPIRITS, HISTORY, MEDICINE"

  Week 6           Feb 25-27

·        Finish discussion of the tribal stories

·        Thursday: Midterm exam

·        Due: Final decision on the clan names.

March
Istawicayazan Wi
"Moon of Snowblind Eyes"

  Week 7           March 4-6

·        Introduction to Linda Hogan  

·        Assignment:  Do an internet search for information on Linda Hogan.  Please do this

       by or before Tuesday.

·        Prepare:  Mean Spirit

  Week 8           March 11-13

·        Discuss: Mean Spirit

·        In-Class Writing on Mean Spirit on Thursday.
If you miss class today, you may not make up this assignment.

  Week 9           March 17-20:  Spring Break!                           

  Week 10         March 25-27

·        Prepare: Mean Spirit

·        Discuss: The directions and criteria for the clan presentations.

·        Due on Thursday: The clans' three choices of the texts they want to present. Clan presentations will begin at the beginning of next month. Each person should come to class on Thursday with his/her three choices. The clans will decide which three they will submit to me. Bring your Trout anthology to class.  Order your choices from one to three with one being your first choice. I'll try to give the clans their first choices whenever possible.

"STORIES FROM PRESENT-DAY WRITERS:
EDUCATION, HISTORY, SURVIVAL"

April
Wihakakta Cepapi Wi
"Moon Of Red Grass Appearing"

  Week 11         April 1-3  NATIVE AMERICAN AWARENESS WEEK

·        Finish Mean Spirit. Discuss essay assignment.

·        Workshop on the essay

·        Saturday is Pow Wow in Zorn Arena. Please try to attend.

  Week 12         April 8-10

·        Activity: Workshop on the essay

·        Due: Mean Spirit  essay

  Week 13         April 15-17

·        Prepare: "I Give You Back,” by Joy Harjo (644), “Carriers of the Dream Wheel” by N. Scott Momaday (79).

·        Prepare: “Drum” by Peter Blue Cloud,”“Our Tongues Slapped into Silence” by Laura Tohe,“Arthur Bozhoo and the Nature of Magic,” by Gordon Henry Jr.,”Dancing the Rice,” by Denise Sweet (handout).

·        "Sitting on Top of Teddy Roosevelt's Head" (handout).  

  Week 14         April 22-24

Clan Presentations begin.

May
Wojupi Wi
"Moon When the Ponies Shed"

  Week 15         April 29-May 1

Clan Presentations continue.

  Week 16         May 6-8

·        Finish Clan Presentations.

·        Preparation for the final exam.

  Week 17         May 14-18  Finals Week

• Final Exam: Thursday, 15th at 10:00-12:00