English 347/547
Studies in Women's Literature
Dr. Debra K. S. Barker
Spring 2003
Tuesday & Thursday
2:00-3:15 p.m.
HHH 206
Course
Description
This course is designed to provide students with the opportunity to read a selection of literary works by twentieth-century American Indian women. We will consider each work within its unique cultural and historical framework and explore the ways that authors have drawn upon their individual tribal histories and traditions to express their personal, tribally-inflected stories and visions. As we read we will consider such themes as tradition, cultural values, spirituality, identity, colonial oppression, and political responses to that oppression.
1. To
introduce students to a range of genres produced by American Indian
authors in the twentieth century.
2. To
acquaint students with the major historical events and cultural contexts
which situate the tribal or national background of each author.
3. To
explore the ways contemporary Native women writers have drawn upon
traditional themes and structures to link the oral tradition to
contemporary modes of literary expression.
4. To
inquire into the historical, political, and cultural pressures that have
shaped the lives of American Indians historically and Native women in
particular.
5. To
investigate the unique roles and experiences of Native women in relation
to their male counterparts, bearing in mind, of course, that gender roles
and experiences will vary from nation to nation.
Native America is inherently multicultural.
6. To strengthen students’ proficiency at close textual reading and critical thinking through writing and discussion. I am interested in helping you better articulate your ideas and interpretations as well prompting you to read as carefully and write as skillfully as you can.
Texts
Waterlily by Ella Cara Deloria
Tracks by Louise Erdrich
The Last Report on the Miracles at Little No Horse by Louise Erdrich
Bead on an Anthill by Delphine Red Shirt
Nothing But the Truth by James Ruppert and John Purdy
Note: This will be a heavy-reading course so please consider this fact as you plan your schedule this term. I will ask you to read not only the texts listed on the reading schedule but also additional outside texts like short essays, for instance, which will illuminate or complement the text with which we are currently engaged. If you don’t enjoy reading, you’re not really interested in American Indian culture, and you don’t want to work very hard, you may be miserable in this class. If you like to read and have a genuine interest in learning about Native women and their cultures, you will have a pleasurable experience, one that challenges you to think and broadens you culturally and intellectually. As you prepare for class each day, do schedule enough time to read and re-read if possible. Jot down notes on the readings as you are introduced to characters, experiences, and ideas that prompt questions or interest. Jot down questions for me or for the class. Underline, highlight, look up words that are new to you, and get involved with the text. The most successful students are those who make a commitment to reading closely, taking good notes in class everyday, and getting involved in the conversations we’ll be having about these remarkable women and their ideas and experiences.
Course
Requirements
Paper #1 (5-8 pages) (8-10 pages for graduate
students) 15%
Paper #2 Researched (8-10 pages)
(15-20 for graduate students)
20%
Reading quizzes (includes short papers also)
15%
Midterm exam 20%
Final exam
20%
Contribution/Participation 10%
This category may also include response or
reflection papers.
Attendance:
The life energy of this course will depend upon all our
contributions to class discussions. For you to communicate regularly your insights and ideas, you
will need to attend class faithfully.
Thus, a percentage of your grade will be based upon your
contribution to class discussion (bringing your book to class, being
prepared to discuss the assignment, answer and ask questions, and even
initiating the conversation). Since
the exams will ask you to demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of
the texts, issues, and ideas we will engage with daily, it is crucial that
you take good notes on the readings and discussion.
Should you have to miss class, you are responsible for getting
notes from a classmate and handouts from me.
I recognize, however, that there may be legitimate reasons for absences. This semester you may have two personal days which you may take if you need them—but use them carefully and sparingly. If you are absent more than two days, your final course average will be penalized one letter grade for each day missed thereafter. If some personal circumstances should arise which interfere with your being able to observe the attendance policy, please let me know as soon as possible so we can work out a solution.
Assignments: Ordinarily, in-class quizzes cannot be made up. Papers and take-home assignments are due on the day announced or designated on an assignment sheet. Please follow the format described on that sheet as well. Also feel free to talk with me in advance about paper topics, sources, or approaches to essays.
Since this is an upper division literature course,
students are expected to submit critical essays that conform with the
standards ordinarily expected in courses at the 300 level.
Please take care with matters regarding correct MLA documentation,
the development of your critical analyses, and the presentation of your
texts. Essays are expected to
conform to the standards of correct grammar and usage.
Plagiarism and academic dishonesty will absolutely
not be tolerated. The
work you submit must be your own, original thinking. You must never submit a paper that you’ve borrowed or
purchased from a commercial source; you must never be dishonest about the
source of your ideas or the citations from your bibliography.
Plagiarized or improperly documented papers will fail.
If you are confused or unsure about how to document your sources, I
will be more than glad to answer your questions or look over your papers
if you have any concerns about your work.
Miscellaneous but important details: Should any problems arise, please see me as soon as possible. Should you want to talk with me about your work in the class, the ideas we are discussing, or any difficulties you think you may be experiencing, please do not hesitate to come in to see me. I will always make time for you.
Dates to remember:
January 21 Classes begin
March 17-21 Spring Break
April 7 Last day to withdraw from the class
May 12-16 Final exam week
May 15 Our exam is on Thursday from 3:00-5:00
Links:
Writing
Native American Culture
Handouts: (in printable format)