INTRODUCTION: From the Puritans to the present, Native Americans have represented both a physical obstacle and a moral impediment to complete conquest and control of the continent. This course will explore literary works, films, fine arts and videos which have constructed Native American identities within the context of American cultural history. Myths and counter-myths of the Indian--meaning here the Native American as conceived by the Euro-American tradition--as they emerge through the mainstreams and backwaters of expressive media create an on-going dialogue about national values, ideologies, and priorities. In the words of Chief Seattle (Salish), "When the last Red Man shall have perished, and the memory . . . shall have become a myth among the white man, these shores will swarm with the invisible dead . . ., and when your children's children think themselves alone . . . they will not be alone. . . . The White Man will never be alone." Like a guilty conscience, the Indian presence in our culture reminds us again and again of our failure to live up to our aspirations to justice for humankind and harmony with the land. The works we review in this class will show how the Indian has been the focus in our collective imagination for these and other debates.

In this seminar, literature is broadly conceived to include not only elite and popular imaginative writing, but political, scholarly and polemical writing as well. In addition to written works, we will also be interested in visual arts and media as they have represented the Indian. Thus, some class time will be spent looking at slides, films, and video productions. These sources as well as printed works may also be substance for student presentations.

REQUIREMENTS: In addition to completing the readings on time and contributing to class discussion of them, you are required to (1) ) submit a formal seminar research paper of 15-20 pages; (2) ; make an oral presentation of about 20 minutes to the seminar based on research for your paper; (3) present a 20 minute introduction to one of your assigned texts; (4) a mid-term and/or final exam are optional at my discretion.

1. Seminar Presentations: Because of your diverse backgrounds and interests, better research papers are likely to result from individually selected topics than from assignments--though I can make an assignment if your are unable to discover a topic for yourself. You are particularly encouraged to consider a multi-media presentation which will incorporate illustrative materials in support of your topic. Our classroom support computer applications, making a computerized presentation possible also.

In order to secure your topic, you will submit a one to two page typed proposal which will define and delimit the subject you intend to research for your paper. You need not know your conclusions at this point, but you should have a clear conception of your topic and your research method. Initial library work should be completed as part of designing your research problem.

Even though you may prefer not to read your report, at the time of your presentation (keeping in mind that the best presentations are not read from prepared texts) you should have at least a written rough-draft of the paper from which to contruct an outline for your talk. This draft is due when you deliver the presentation. Remember, these presentations are an essential part of the learning process; their quality will help determine the overall quality of the course. Your standard for a presentation should be that of a professional conference.

Since the tight summer schedule requires that you begin work on your papers very quickly, I am scheduling time to confer with you about a paper topic early in the term. This meeting will be followed submission of a paper proposal of 300-500 words outlining your research plans. If you encounter difficulties in research or writing, please consult with me. IMPORTANT NOTE: Many of our library books are no longer housed in the open stacks at the library. Ordering books from the Depository requires time. Same for interlibrary loan. Do not wait until the last minute to begin research or you may find that you cannot get access to necessary publications.

Proposals are due June 1.

(2) Seminar Papers: Your seminar paper will be the final draft version of your oral presentation. Since it is based on a 20-minute presentation, it should be about 15-20 pages long. In matters of style, bibliography, etc. you should follow the MLA Handbook unless your Area of Concentration requires a different format. In that case, use the appropriate style guide.

Papers are to be word-processed or typed in a final draft format; hand written work is not acceptable. Your goal should be a publishable manuscript.

Papers are due June 22.

(3) Text Introduction: You should briefly introduce the author and place the work within the context of his/her ouvre, but focus most of your time on the work itself. Consider breifly the major themes of the work, its contribution to the image of the Indian in American culture, and serious issues or themes that should be consider by the class.

Robert Berkhofer, The White Man's Indian, ISBN 0-394-72794-0, Vintage

Mary Rowlandson, The Soverignty and Goodness of God, ISBN 0-312-11151-7, Bedford

James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of the Mohicans, ISBN 0-14-03.9024-3 Penguin

George Catlin, North American Indians, ISBN 0 14 017.014 6, Penguin

Mari Sandoz, Cheyenne Autumn, ISBN 0-80-32921-20, U of Neb Press

Theodora Kroeber, Ishi in Two Worlds, ISBN 0-520-00675-5, California

Thomas Berger,Little Big Man, ISBN 0-385-29829-3 Dell

Tu May 18	Introductory Meeting
	from Berkhofer, Part 1: "The Idea of the Indian ..." pp 3 - 31
Th May 20	Mary Rowlandson, The Soverignty and Goodness of God (Bedford)
	from Berkhofer, Part 3: " Imagery in Literataure, Art and Philosophy,..." pp 71 - 111
Tu May 25	James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of the Mohicians (SUNY).
Th May 27	No Meeting: Reading Day to Work on Paper Proposals
Tu June 1	George Catlin, The North American Indians, ed. Matthiessen. (Viking-Penguin)
	Slide Presentation: Romantic Painters and the Plains Indians
	!!!!! PAPER PROPOSALS DUE TODAY !!!!!
Th June 3	Mari Sandoz, Cheyenne Autumn (U of Neb)
	Video: "I Will Fight No More Forever"
Tu June 8	Video: "The Trail of Tears"
	from Berkhofer: Part 4 "Imagery and White Policy..." pp 113 - 194
Th June 10	Theodora Kroeber, Ishi in Two Worlds (California).
	from Berkhofer, Part 2: "From Religion to Anthropology..." pp 33 - 69
	Review: Roy Harvey Pearce, Savagery and Civilization (1988)
Tu June 15	Seminar Presentations
Th June 17	Seminar Presentations
Tu June 22	Thomas Berger, Litle Big Man (Dell)
	Review: Dee Brown, Bury My Heart at Wounded Kneee
	!!!!! PAPERS DUE TODAY !!!!!
Th June 24	Final Meeting--Film: Little Big Man

Th May 20	Mary Rowlandson, The Soverignty and Goodness of God	JULIA MASON
Tu May 25	James Fenimore Cooper, The Last of the Mohicians (SUNY).* * One talk on Leatherstocking Tales, one specifically on Mohicans.	LANI NASH & SIMEON FURMAN
Tu June 1	George Catlin, The North American Indians, ed. Matthiessen	BABACAR M'BAYE
Th June 3	Mari Sandoz, Cheyenne Autumn	ROY SMITH
Tu June 8	Review: Roy Harvey Pearce, Savagery and Civilization	Shawn Newborn
Th June 10	Theodora Kroeber, Ishi in Two Worlds	ANNE JOHNSTON
Tu June 15	Seminar Papers: Dubose, Furman, Johnston, Mason, M'Baye
Th June 17	Seminar Papers: Nash, Newborn, Shao, Smith, Velazquez
Tu June 22	Thomas Berger, Little Big Man	MIKE DUBOSE
	Review: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee	ANHI VELAZQUEZ
Th June 24	Final Meeting Film: Little Big Man	LI SHAO