Introductory description

An introduction to the political and cultural invention of one of the United States' most enduring and pernicious myths, the 'American Indian'. The module explores Native American history in the United States from the genocide of the 19th century to the representation and resistance of Native Americans in literature, art, film and television.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

An introduction to the political and cultural invention of one of the United States' most enduring and pernicious myths, the 'American Indian'. The module explores Native American history in the United States from the genocide of the 19th century to the representation and resistance of Native Americans in literature, art, film and television. Topics will include segregation, state-sponsored violence, censorship, racial and gender stereotyping in history and fiction, tourism and cultural appropriation, contemporary exclusion from the culture industries, and Native American resistance. Core texts include work by Luther Standing Bear, Vine J. Deloria Jr., Leslie Marmon Silko, Mari Sandoz, Helen Hunt Jackson and Chris Eyre.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate a detailed knowledge of the course of Native American history and culture.
• Communicate ideas and findings, adapting to a range of situations, audiences and degrees of complexity
• Generate ideas through the analysis of a broad range of primary source material
• Analyse and evaluate the contributions made by existing scholarship about First Peoples
• Act with limited supervision and direction within defined guidelines, accepting responsibility for achieving deadlines
• To gain interpersonal and communication skills through the delivery of a presentation

Indicative reading list

Tomas Almaguer, Racial Fault Lines (1999)
Ned Blackhawk, Rediscovery of America (2023)
Dee Brown, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (1970)
Willa Cather, The Professor's House (1925)
Stephen Cornell, The Return of the Native: American Indian Political Resurgence (1988)
Vine J. Deloria Jr., Custer Died for Your Sins (1969)
Vine J. Deloria Jr., Red Earth, White Lies (1995)
Dydia DeLyser, Ramona Memories (2005)
Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, An Indigenous Peoples' History of the United States (2014)
Geronimo: My Story (1906)
Zane Grey, The Vanishing American (1925)
Helen Hunt Jackson, Ramona (1885)
Benjamin Madley, An American Genocide (2016)
Elise Marubbio, Killing the Indian Maiden (2006)
Mari Sandoz, Cheyenne Autumn (1953)
Leslie Marmon Silko, Ceremony (1977)
Walter Benn Michaels, Our America: Nativism, Modernism, Pluralism (1995)
Sherry Smith, Hippies, Indians, and the Fight for Red Power (2014)
Luther Standing Bear, Land of the Spotted Eagle (1933)

Interdisciplinary

Students are challenged to make connections outside of their main subject of study (History), particularly in the realm of literature, politics, film and media. The module's content crosses boundaries in history, literature, photography, film, television and media and is designed to develop students' comfort with researching and evaluating material along an array of academic disciplines. Dominant white male academic discourses are challenged by Native American voices, women and other ethnic minorities in the US. Learning to see from different perspectives is a core aspect of the interdisciplinary learning experience.

International

The module draws on cases from different contexts and different geopolitical areas, including Australia, Wales, Canada, France and Germany. The group assessment will bring a range of global and local perspectives to bear on the class work.

Subject specific skills

see learning outcomes

Transferable skills

Work effectively with others in groups
Manage time in projects
Develop strong analytical skills
Discover, evaluate and incorporate previous research at a level appropriate for a second-year module
Use a variety of skills and resources effectively in the preparation of class work
Hone analytical skills to explore research data on Indigenous media
Read academic work and literature effectively in the context of an intensive programme
Communicate clearly in class discussions
Write succinctly and with originality