When many people think of American Indian Oral Traditions, they envision a wise old elder speaking slowly with dramatic effect and ancient wisdom. The popular cultural understanding of Indigenous oral traditions relies heavily stereotypical representations of Indigenous peoples and cultures. This class deconstructs these folk understandings of Indigenous oral traditions, introduces students to the diverse history of oral tradition in North America, and explores the evolution and new directions that Indigenous peoples have taken with oral traditions to present day. As a writing intensive course, students will have the opportunity to improve their writing skills through course assignments, constructive feedback, and revisions. Through readings, class exercises and assignments, students will become familiar with the history and diversity of Indigenous oral traditions and engage in self-reflection about their own relationship with representations of Indigenous cultures/knowledge/people and stories.
Your librarian is Kellian Clink. Please contact her at 507 389 5152 or kellian.clink@mnsu.edu for assistance.
