Both the study and presentation of knowledge about Indigenous peoples are undergoing dramatic transformation. As the ranks of Indigenous scholars grow, so does the scholarship of these scholars embody a radical shift in perspective. As opposed to scholarship about Indigenous peoples, Indigenous scholars, writing about our own communities, hold ourselves accountable to our communities by producing scholarship with, by, and for our relations.
How do we answer the call from Critical Indigenous Studies? This course is an exploration in recent scholarship, as well as deep and honest engagement with ways of responding. Anticipating that enrollment will include a mix of Indigenous and non-Indigenous students, we will discuss strategies of positionality and performativity, in order to grapple with the range of possibilities in answering this call.
Readings will combine assigned articles and up to four monograph-length books. The specific books will be determined by consensus during the first week of the course. Possible readings include: Robin Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass; LeAnne Simpson, As We Have Always Done; Laura Harjo, Spiral to the Stars; Karin Ingersoll, Waves of Knowing. Students are also be invited to nominate titles; any nominated title must be accompanied by a one-paragraph argument for the book's relevance.
Course Requirements:
1. Participation –regular attendance, discussion posts online in Canvas, and participation in Writing Project workshops: 20%
2. Reading Journal: 20%
3. Writing Project # 1: 20%
4. Writing Project # 2: 25%
5. Final Essay Experience: 15% Class Format:
This course is remote and synchronous.