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 Native American Literature and Culture
Hum240W: Introduction to Native American Literature (4 credits) Tuesdays and Thursdays 1-2:40pm, Modoc 104 Instructor: Stacey Donohue Office: Pence 23 Phone: 383-7533 Email: sdonohue@cocc.edu Office hours: Check website: http://www.cocc.edu/sdonohue/schedule.htm Hum240W Course Pack (available in Blackboard or at the Bookstore) Readings on reserve in the library or e-reserve online Erdrich, Louise. Tracks Silko, Leslie Marmon. Ceremony Alexie, Sherman. Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven
Course Description: The primary objective of the course is to introduce you to a selection of literary works by Native American writers. Additional objectives include developing the skills needed to meet the following outcomes:
A. Knowledge about a culture different from one’s own: 1. Explain the broad features of Native American history (from pre-contact to the present) and situate individual texts within that history. 2. Apply specific and defensible criteria, appropriate to the cultural and historical context, to analyze, interpret, and evaluate Native American texts. 3. Analyze the effects of education, gender roles, printing and publication practices, the reservation system and cultural identity on the development and reputation of these authors. B. Analysis of a written text: 1. Analyze the role of orality and storytelling in this literature, including the use of oral story telling devices in contemporary texts. 2. Demonstrate an understanding of specific themes in Native American literature such as interrelationship between the land and the people; the value of community and tradition; the trickster figure; the “mixed-blood” figure in 20th century literature; the homing plot; and media representations of Native Americans. 3. Use formal and informal writing to develop and express interpretations and analyses, distinguishing between personal and critical responses. 4. Use evidence from the texts and bring multiple viewpoints and perspectives to bear in developing one’s interpretations, evaluations, and comparative analyses of these literary works. 5. Explain the relationships within these selections, among audience, purpose, organization, form, voice, diction, style, and use of literary conventions. 6. Explain how the literary treatment of an event, issue or idea differs from the approach of another academic discipline.
C. Comparative analysis of cultures: 1. Examine the effects of individual and culturally-determined factors (such as race, gender, class, ethnicity, region, religion, biases of information sources, prior cross-cultural experiences) in one’s own and others’ responses to Native American literature and culture. 2. Identify and explain significant differences and similarities among Native American works and cultures and our own, or other nonwestern and multicultural American cultures with which you may be familiar.
In order to meet these goals, students are expected to attend class, contribute to class discussions, and keep up with the reading and writing assignments.
Activities and Grades
20% In Class Activities As with any literature class, class and group discussion and analysis of the literary works are central to the course. Expect in class group and individual written assignments at least once a week. The in class work is designed to help you as your work your way through the readings, thus I consider them to be helpful for both class discussion, but to your own understanding of the texts. Questions we work on during class time may be on the midterm and final, and may act as initial brainstorming drafts of your formal essays. These assignments will be graded credit/no credit, so you earn credit just by participating. In-class work cannot be made up; however, two missing (or two lowest graded) assignments will be dropped.
15% Reading Journal An informal notebook that you will keep as you read the three books and reserve readings this term. Criteria will be discussed in class. You’ll hand it in at midterm and again at the final exam.
25% In class Final Exam Includes short answer and short essay questions related to all the readings and class discussions during the term.
40% Essays (2) Two essays, each worth 20% of your final grade, a minimum of 4 typed double-spaced pages. For each essay, you will have a number of topics to choose from. The first essay may be revised IF handed in on time. Late essays are penalized. Criteria and suggested topics for these essays are listed in the course packet.
Format for Essays and Major Assignments Listed Above
COCC E-Mail Accounts: Please see me about using your COCC e-mail account (or forwarding your COCC e-mail to another account). I often send class updates as well as information on your grades, via e-mail.
Plagiarism Statement: Proper citations and documentation of any sources that you quote, paraphrase, and/or summarize in your writing are required whenever you borrow the words, facts, and/or ideas of others. In general, putting others’ ideas into your own words still means you are borrowing, and to avoid plagiarism, the source must be cited and documented, both (a)at the point in your essay where there borrowing occurs (parenthetical citations for most academic documentation systems), and (b) in a list of all sources cited given at the end of your essay. Plagiarism—intended or not—is considered a serious academic violation of intellectual property rights, and may earn your written assignment an automatic “F.”
COCC Non-Discrimination Policy Central Oregon Community College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity institution.
Please see me at the beginning of the quarter if you have any questions about the course requirements. Also, if you have any questions during the course of the quarter, please see me during office hours or by appointment. Note: Bring text and packet to each class meeting!
Date this page was last updated: 03/11/05
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