Subjects: General

Part 2 of 2: Thomas King (Cherokee/Greek) has been described as a “Native American Kurt Vonnegut” and a “darkly funny Mark Twain”. He is a former photo-journalist and currently works as a university professor, scriptwriter, novelist, and author of children’s books. Topics covered in theses classes include King’s description of the differences between print and film media, comments on the making of this course’s video, the definition of “meta-discourse”, a discussion on stereotypes, a discussion on the uniquely feminist nature of Mr. King’s work, and the nature of “Tricksters”.

Part 1 of 2: Mr. Carr (Laguna/Navajo) is an author and successful filmmaker. Short segments of his documentary Laguna Women are used in these two class sessions. A few weeks after this telecourse was made, Navajo Code Talkers, a National Geographic documentary produced by Lena and Aaron Carr, won an Emmy for best documentary. Other topics include a discussion on the issue of “identity”, a discourse on the impact of using a white protagonist in an Indian novel, and Carr’s point of view with respect to the writer’s “responsibility to build upon what other authors have done.”

Part 2 of 2: Mr. Carr (Laguna/Navajo) is an author and successful filmmaker. Short segments of his documentary Laguna Women are used in these two class sessions. A few weeks after this telecourse was made, Navajo Code Talkers, a National Geographic documentary produced by Lena and Aaron Carr, won an Emmy for best documentary. Other topics include a discussion on the issue of “identity”, a discourse on the impact of using a white protagonist in an Indian novel, and Carr’s point of view with respect to the writer’s “responsibility to build upon what other authors have done.”

Part 1 of 2: Gerald Vizenor is Professor of Native American Studies at the University of California (Berkley). He has been described by LaVonne Brown Ruoff as a “compassionate trickster”, a “formidable warrior in the word wars”, a superb storyteller, and a keen observer of our often hypocritical modern society. Topics covered include further discussion on the “Trickster”, the nature of violence, “shadow words”, Vizenor’s definition of what constitutes a meaningful question, and why an author’s response to a question often takes the form of a story.

Part 2 of 2: Gerald Vizenor is Professor of Native American Studies at the University of California (Berkley). He has been described by LaVonne Brown Ruoff as a “compassionate trickster”, a “formidable warrior in the word wars”, a superb storyteller, and a keen observer of our often hypocritical modern society. Topics covered include further discussion on the “Trickster”, the nature of violence, “shadow words”, Vizenor’s definition of what constitutes a meaningful question, and why an author’s response to a question often takes the form of a story.

Part 2 of 2: Susan Power (Dakota/German) is the author of the national best-seller, The Grass Dancer. Ms. Power is originally from Chicago, and holds both undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard. Topics covered in this class include Indian boarding schools, the religious impact of Christianity on American Indians, an author’s relationship to “place”, and the occasional aggressiveness of white “helpers.” James Welch also makes a reappearance in this class via telephone.

Part 1 of 2: In these classes, students discuss the works of Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coer d’Alene), a poet and novelist from the state of Washington. Topics include the politics of writing, a debate on the “cynical” and/or “funny” style of Alexie’s writing, and a discussion of the responsibilities inherent in writing from an ethnic viewpoint.

Part 2 of 2: In these classes, students discuss the works of Sherman Alexie (Spokane/Coer d’Alene), a poet and novelist from the state of Washington. Topics include the politics of writing, a debate on the “cynical” and/or “funny” style of Alexie’s writing, and a discussion of the responsibilities inherent in writing from an ethnic viewpoint.

Part 1 of 2: Linda Hogan (Chickasaw) is a poet and novelist of immense talent. She teaches at the University of Colorado and is an environmental activist. She is a major force in the development of written Native American poetry, a well-respected fiction writer, an environmental essayist, and an award winning dramatist. Topics covered include the many uses of fiction and non-fiction writing.

Ms. Ross is the direct descendent of Principle Chief John Ross, who was the leader of the Cherokee Nation at the time of the Removal (“Trail of Tears”). She is a very well-respected storyteller, an expert on oral tradition, and the author of several editions of Cherokee stories.