A study of representative works of poetry and fiction by selected American Indian writers. Discussion and analysis on ways in which literature reflects and illuminates American Indian culture and traditions. This course examines a variety of issues concerning the biological, evolutionary and historical origins of women's roles and status in society. Comparative roles of women are examined in tribal contexts across various indigenous cultures. Studies include the role of women in Native American and African tribes, peasant societies of eastern Europe, Mexico, the Middle East, and China.
Emphasis is on such current issues as tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and education.
The tension of cultural change and religions, traditional persistence among selected American Indian tribes today is highligted. INS 264 American Indians in the Cinema Various images of the North American Indian, created by Hollywood and television are studied. Films from 1913 to the present are viewed in order to provide an understanding of how American Indians were portrayed in film historically, how this image has evolved over the past century, and how it is reflective of Western cultural ideologies. The rich heritage of indigenous cultures is explored through the visual arts, particularly within the United States. Other content includes poetry, dance, mythology, ritual, religion, and drama of many American Indian tribes.