ENGL/WMST
4671
NATIVE AMERICAN
WOMEN WRITERS
www.faculty.de.gcsu.edu/~mmagouli
Instructor: Dr. Mary Magoulick Office Phone: 445-3177
Office: A&S 3-21; email: mary.magoulick@gcsu.edu Hours: MF 9-10, TR 2-3 (or by appt.)
Texts (available at the bookstore; there
may also be some Xeroxed readings)
Allen, Paula
Gunn. Spiderwoman’s Granddaughters.
Crow Dog, Mary (with Richard Erdoes). Lakota
Woman.
Erdrich, Louise. The
Antelope Wife: A Novel.
Hale, Janet
Campbell. The Jailing of Cecelia Capture.
Lurie, Nancy Oestreich (ed.).
Mountain Wolf Woman: Sister of Crashing Thunder: The Autobiography of a
Winnebago Indian.
Silko,
Leslie. Gardens in the Dunes.
Course Objectives
We will
consider various contemporary and traditional works written by Native American
women, with special emphasis on socio-cultural contexts of each work. We will
pay special attention to issues of gender and identity as they surface in the
poetry, fiction, and autobiography we read. We will also consider the extent to
which the works bridge traditional and contemporary Native American
perspectives, themes, and literary styles. Our consideration of cultural
contexts and implications of the literature will lead to larger questions and
issues regarding both women’s studies and Native American studies. Gender and
identity often surface most poignantly in the work of women whose lives are
marginalized in the mainstream. Our discussions may lead us to ponder as well
more general issues connected to the cannon and contextual studies of
literature.
Course Description
This course
will involve lectures and discussions of the works students will read outside
the classroom as homework. The professor will offer contextual information for
the cultures and authors of each of the works to be considered and will lead
students in careful textual analysis of the novels we read. You are not
required to have any prior knowledge of Native American cultures or women’s studies.
Most important is a sense of curiosity about Native Americans, women’s studies,
issues of culture and identity, and a willingness to do the readings and
participate in the course. You will write a short critical response to a
reading, a final, in-depth, analytical essay, and a final exam that will give
you an opportunity to discuss comparatively the works and issues from class.
Requirements
T
One short critical response to an assigned reading (1-2 pages). You do not
have to do any research or additional reading but should merely write detailed
analysis of one particular passage from one of our readings in which you
interpret that passage.
T
A final exam in which you answer specific essay questions about
our readings and discussions. You should show an awareness of class issues,
strong analysis of readings, and synthesis of your original insights.
T
An analytical essay (8-10 pages) in which you explore in depth one
or more works of Native American literature, either according to a theoretical
or contextual framework from class, or an equivalent one you research on your
own.
T
Regular, active attendance. Be prepared to ask and answer
questions, and to raise and discuss issues of significance to this class.
T
Timely completion of all assignments.
Grading
Critical Response & Participation: 20%
Examination: 30%
Final Essay: 50%
Grades on individual assignments will be based on effort
and thoughtfulness as well as correctness of logic and development of ideas.
Critical responses should use the text as a guide in analysis. Prior to
mid-semester, you will receive feedback on your academic performance in this
course.
Notes
<
E-mail me if you have any
questions or concerns about the class, readings, or assignments.
<
It is your responsibility as
a student to keep up with work and any changes in the syllabus (even for
classes you may miss). Late work will not be accepted and make-up exams will
not be possible. Attendance in this class is mandatory. Respectful
participation is expected.
<
Cheating and plagiarism are
unethical and unacceptable (and a waste of your tuition). Doing your own work
helps you learn and makes the most of your experience here. Cheaters will fail.
<
This syllabus is a guide and
is subject to revision. It is your responsibility as a student to note and
adhere to any changes.
We
are ascending through the dawn
The
sky blushed with the fever
of attraction. ~Joy Harjo (2000)
Calendar
of Classes /
NOTE: Readings
Week
1
Tues,
8-18 Introduction & brief
history/survey of major geographic and cultural areas
Thurs,
8-20 Begin discussion Paul Gunn
Allen, READ: 1-64
Week
2 Read and discuss Paula Gunn Allen, Spiderwoman’s
Granddaughters
Tues,
8-26 Gunn Allen, 65-126
Thurs,
8-28 Gunn Allen, 127-187
Week
3 Read and discuss Gunn Allen and
Lurie, Mountain Wolf Woman
Tues,
9-2 Gunn Allen (concluded),
188-277
Thurs,
9-4 Lurie, 1-83 (appendices
optional)
Week
4 Read and
discuss Crow Dog, Lakota Woman
Tues,
9-9 Crow Dog, 1-91
Thurs,
9-11 Crow Dog, 92-155
Week
5 Crow Dog
(cont.) and begin Diane Glancy, Pushing the Bear
Tues,
9-16 Crow Dog, 156-263
Thurs,
9-18 Glancy, 1-60
Week
6 Read and
discuss Glancy
Tues,
9-23 Glancy, 60-118 CRITICAL RESPONSES DUE
Thurs,
9-25 Glancy, 121-161
Week
7 Read and
discuss Glancy
Tues,
9-30 Glancy, 165-232
Thurs,
10-2 Art and History of the Trail
of Tears
Weeks
8 PAWS to
think (both Tues and Thurs – NO CLASS – work on papers)
Week
9 Read &
discuss Hale, The Jailing of Cecilia Capture
Tues,
10-14 Hale, 1-99
Thurs,
10-16 Hale, 100-142
Weeks
10 Read
and discuss Hale (cont.)
Tues,
10-21 Hale, 143-201
Thurs, 10-23 POETRY
(handout) FINAL ESSAY TOPICS DUE
(appts. for office conf.)
Week
11 Read
and discuss Erdrich, The Antelope Wife
Tues,
10-28 Erdrich, 1-41
Thurs,
10-30 Erdrich, 42-71
Week
12 Read
and discuss Erdrich (cont.)
Tues,
11-4 Erdrich, 72-129
Thurs
11-6 Erdrich, 130-181
Week
13 Read
and discuss Erdrich and Silko’s Gardens in the Dunes
Tues,
11-11 Erdrich, 183-240
Thurs,
11-13 Silko, 13-64
Week
14 Read
& discuss Read and discuss Silko’s Gardens of the Dunes
Tues,
11-18 Silko, 67-149
Thurs,
11-20 153-197 FINAL ESSAYS DUE
Week
15
Read & discuss Silko (cont.)
Tues,
11-25 201-267
Thursday THANKSGIVING – NO CLASS
Weeks 16 Read
& discuss Silko (cont.)
Tues, 12-2 Silko, 271-427
Thurs, 12-4 Silko, 431-477
Week 17 FINAL
EXAM (in class)
Tues, 12-9