Native American Philosophy

Start with Chapter 19, re read it.  Then get to the end of Chapter 24.  Take notes.  Also, we'll talk about our conversation on Friday with Sasha. 

Read five more chapters, with care. Also, watch this again, carefully:  HERE .

We did well on the first nine chapters.  Carefully read the next five.  I know that I keep saying that it is time to do some writing.  Be ready for that. 

Read the introduction and first nine chapters, with care and notes:  HERE .

68-89 in the Testimomy book.    It goes quickly, but pay attention.  In-class writing may depend on it. 

In the book called _Native American Testimony_, read from the introduction (p. xxi) to the end of page 48.  Carefully.   Take notes. 

Late posting, I know, so shorter reading.  Scroll down (in the text we're in) quite a way, and read only the section titled "Religion."  But read it carefully.  

Read, carefully, to the end of "The Beaver Medicine." I know that discussing stuff like this can be a little thin, but I think that we do need to do it.  It is an important way to encounter the ideas and patterns. 

HERE

Read the next four stories. Carefully enough for in-class writing!

Do you even vault? HERE

Many interesting and important issues connecting: HERE .

Read to the end of the story called "The Bad Wife." Brace yourself--some of these stories are very violent. Think about questions like these: What repetitions are you starting to notice?  What might be the point of repeatedly telling stories that share elements and plots? How do the "supernatural" characters interact with the non-supernatural ones? What role do animals play as characters? What are we starting to see about narrative patterns involving husbands and wives?  What might be the purpose or function of these patterns? What are the moral elements in these stories?  That is, what seems to count as praiseworthy or blameworthy behavior?  What do good people do?  What do bad people do?  We'll do some in-class writing, likely, so really soak in these stories until you know them pretty well.

I'm extra-cautious when it comes to discussing two-spirit traditions in Native American communities.  Partly, I really know very little about it.  Partly, there have been many very well-informed debates about the extent to which mainstream American culture can draw parallels that fit.  I do want to try to talk about it, some, this semester.  The Two-Spirit Pow Wow is a recent phenomena, and there are more instances every year.  I think that that's fascinating and important.  Check out this short write-up.  It suggests that "decolonization" applies to sexuality, too.  (We haven't talked about decolonization yet, but I think that the basic thought is clear enough.)    HERE . 

OK, took me a while to find a likely candidate. Visit this link and read everything, especially the introduction, all the way to the end of the story called "The Lost Woman."  Carefully, with notes.  Like you're gonna get quizzed or something. HERE .