English 240: Introduction to Native American Literature
Instructor: Jordana FinneganSummer 2003
Office: 243 PLCCRN: 40598
Phone: 346-1052204 Chapman Hall
Email: UWH: 1:00-1:50
Office Hours: T: 2:30-4:00, W: 2:30-4:00 & by appointment
Course Objectives:
This course will provide students with a solid grounding in the diverse field of Native American literature.We will focus on writings from the twentieth century, although we will also discuss the oral tradition and its influence on modern writings.We will consider the texts and authors in biographical, historical, cultural, and critical contexts.Some guiding questions for the course will include: How does Native American literature draw on and depart from Euroamerican literary traditions?How do histories of conquest and resistance shape these literary texts?We will also focus on the ways in which these works respond to stereotypical images of Native American people.While I will lecture on the critical and historical context of our readings, this course will be largely discussion-oriented.We will focus on reading carefully and critically and always using textual evidence to support our claims.
Required Readings:
Sherman Alexie,The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven(1993)
Janet Campbell Hale,Bloodlines: Odyssey of a Native Daughter(1993)
M. Annette Jaimes, ed.The State of Native America: Genocide, Colonization, andResistance(1992).On syllabus asSNA.
D’Arcy McNickle,The Surrounded(1936)
Simon J. Ortiz,From Sand Creek(1981)
Leslie Marmon Silko,Ceremony(1977)
Brian Swann, ed.Native American Songs and Poems: An Anthology(1996).On syllabusasNASP.
The required texts are available at the UO Bookstore.Supplementary readings are on reserve at the Knight Library.I will occasionally provide other assigned readings as handouts in class.
Grade Determination:
Participation:15%
Weekly reports:10%
Quizzes & Assignments:5%
Papers:50%:(Paper #1: 20%, Paper #2: 30%)
Final Exam:20%
Requirements:
Participation:I will evaluate your preparedness and involvement in class discussions.I expect each student to contribute to the discussion on a daily basis through respectful listening and thoughtful comments.
Attendance:You are allowed 2 absences from class meetings.For each additional absence beyond the second your final grade will be lowered one third of a letter (i.e., from a B to a B-).No student can earn a passing grade if he or she is absent for more than 5 class meetings.3 instances of arriving late or leaving early equal 1 absence.
Weekly Reports:At the beginning of the term students will sign up to deliver a report during one of our Thursday class meetings.You may choose to report either on a selected essay fromThe State of Native America(with the exception of essays by Jimmie Durham (423-437) and Wendy Rose (403-418), which we’ll read as a class) or on a song or poem from Swann’sNative American Songs and Poems(with the exception of Whiteman’s poem on p. 54).In either case, the report must be approximately ten minutes long and include a summary and interpretation of the text at hand, along with a handout that outlines your presentation and identifies the issues that you will be discussing.If you choose a poem from the Swann anthology, you are expected to perform a careful and thorough close reading, with analysis of imagery, figurative language, and themes.Each student (not giving a report) must turn in a question based on one of the day’s reports at the end of class each Thursday.
Daily Readings:You are responsible for completing the readings by the beginning of the class period for which they have been assigned.Reading quizzes will be given periodically throughout the term.Bring required books to class every time we meet.
Daily Discussion Questions:For each class meeting except for Thursdays you are required to bring at least one thoughtful question about the day’s reading assignment, based on a careful reading of the text.Be prepared to share your question with the class.I will collect discussion questions periodically throughout the term.
Papers:The first paper (2-3 pages) is a concise close reading of a passage from one of the assigned texts.Focus on the form and content of the passage and relate your analysis to the broader themes of the literary work from which it is derived.The second paper (4-6 pages) is a longer analysis of 1-2 of the texts we have read this term.You are encouraged to address another scholar’s critical interpretation of the text(s) in this paper.
Writing Format:All written work except for discussion questions must be typed, double-spaced, with one-inch margins all around.Use a 12-point font.Provide an interesting, appropriate title that reflects the paper’s central argument.Use MLA style to document sources as you quote and paraphrase.Staple your paper and on the first page list your name, the date, the course number, and instructor’s last name.
Schedule of Readings and Assignments
Week One:M6/23Introduction; poems by Alexie and Tapahonso
U6/24Handouts: Standing Bear, Zitkala-Sa, Acoma Legend
W6/25Jimmie Durham inSNA: “Cowboys,” pp. 423-438
H6/26Reports
Week Two:M6/30D’Arcy McNickle,The Surrounded
U7/1The Surrounded
W7/2The Surrounded; Video:The People Today
H7/3Reports
Week Three:M7/7Leslie Marmon Silko,Ceremony
U7/8Ceremony
W7/9Ceremony; Handout: Silko
H7/10Reports; FIRST PAPER DUE
Week Four:M7/14Video:Surviving Columbus
U7/15Simon J. Ortiz,From Sand Creek
W7/16From Sand Creek; M. Annette Jaimes inSNA: pp. 1-7
H7/17Reports
Week Five:M7/21Janet Campbell Hale,Bloodlines
U7/22Bloodlines
W7/23Bloodlines; Handout: Momaday
H7/24Reports
Week Six:M7/28Sherman Alexie,Lone Ranger and Tonto
U7/29Lone Ranger and Tonto
W7/30Lone Ranger and Tonto
H7/31Reports
Week Seven:M8/4Video:White Shamans and Plastic Medicine Men
U8/5Wendy Rose inSNA: “Great Pretenders,” pp. 403-418
W8/6Roberta Whiteman inNASP: p. 54; Handout: Edmo
H8/7Reports; FINAL PAPER DUE
Week Eight:M8/11Review for Final Exam; Reports if needed
U8/12FINAL EXAM in class; last day of class meetings
Policies:
Late Work:All paper assignments are due on the dates listed on the syllabus at the beginning of the class period in which they are due.Late assignments will be lowered one step per day unless the situation is discussed with me beforehand and I have granted an extension.If you have to miss class, assignments must be turned in prior to the class period in which they are due.All papers must be completed to receive a passing grade in the course.Missed quizzes cannot be made up.
Plagiarism:All work submitted in this course must be your own and be written exclusively for this course.In cases where plagiarism has been clearly established, the award of an F for the final course grade is the standard practice.
Disabilities: If you feel you may need accommodation for any type of disability, please consult me early in the term.
Class Environment:To make the most of our time together, it is important to interact in a professional manner, to listen and speak respectfully and thoughtfully.Moreover, while disagreement is healthy and welcome, it should be expressed maturely and tactfully.The goal is to have an environment in which everyone can comfortably work and speak.Activities such as sleeping, doodling, and carrying on side conversations are distracting and inappropriate.