AMST 101 - The Art of Reading and Writing

Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)

Development of critical reading in various forms of literary expression, and regular practice in different kinds of writing.

Topic for 2023/24a: Sending Smoke Signals: Representations & Realities of Contemporary Native America. (Same as ENGL 101) How do film and media such as Sherman Alexie’s Smoke Signals or TaikaWaititi’s/Sterling Harjo’s Reservation Dogs speak back to, analyze, or wholly ignore films like Dances With Wolves, Avatar, or Disney’s Pocahontas? How do Native writers like Louise Erdrich or Natalie Diaz launch critiques of anthropological translations of Native life and culture? How does the work of Indigenous artists like James Luna, Rebecca Belmore, or George Longfish fly in the face of stereotypes of the stoic noble or wild savage Indian? Interrogating depictions of Native American life through the use of poetry, fiction, non-fiction, periodicals, film, media, art, and performance, we use the study and practice of writing to explore a segment of North America which is commonly misunderstood and purposely refitted to suit settler colonial desires and needs. Various types of writing assignments guide us to think more deeply about the histories and contemporary realities of Native American nations and peoples – and the ethics and responsibilities that accompany that knowledge and engagement. Molly McGlennen.

Open only to first-year students; satisfies the college requirement for a First-Year Writing Seminar.

Two 75-minute periods.

Course Format: CLS