The Literature of Native America
F05
Mark Wunderlich
The late 20th century saw a flourishing of literature written by Native Americans. In this course we will look at prose, poetry, and nonfiction writing by Native American authors such as N. Scott Momaday, Sherman Alexie, Louise Erdrich, Leslie Marmon Silko, Ofelia Zepeda, and others who have shaped and created a vibrant body of Native American literature in English. The course will begin with a discussion of who American Indians are and what issues native people face in the United States today. We will look briefly at early examples of Native American literature and discuss the preservation (and loss) of indigenous languages before reading, discussing, and researching contemporary works. Students will make in-class presentations and write critical prose.