English: Contemporary Native Fiction

Representative topics: Introduction to Native American Literature. May be repeated for credit with different content. Topics vary by offering; periodic offering at intervals that may exceed four years. Cross-listed with: CRES 1823.

Open to Degree and PACE students; Crosslisted with CRES 1823 Total combined enrollment: 40

In this course we will be reading recent novels and short fiction by Native writers: about half of the reading will be from within the last ten years, and nearly all from the 21st century, with a few short pieces earlier in give some context. The authors, of varied geographical, tribal, gender backgrounds, engage the question of individual and collective identity and experience in a context which has very often been hostile to continued Native existence. Some writers directly engage the worlds they live in, some engage the past; some explore contemporary reservation life, other contemporary urban experience. Authors may include Tommy Orange, Eden Robinson, Louise Erdrich, Stephen Graham Jones, and others.

Class sessions will center on discussion of the materials, with some lecture to provide context relevant to the various readings. The major out of class workload will be reading. There will be a longer final essay (5-7pp), two tests, in-class free-writes, and a group oral presentation.

Foundation of the grades will rest primarily on the essays, two tests, participation in discussions, and the group presentation (exact % breakdown to be determined). Attendance, participation, and having work done on time is expected.