FALL 2011 COURSE SYLLABUS
REL 5385
NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGION
Contact and Course Information
Professor: Dr. Andrea Mantell Seidel
Course number: REL 5385Sec. 01
Credits: 3 credits
Semester: Fall 2011
Course Time: MWF 10-10:50 and Mondays 11-11:50
Room: TBA
Office Hours:W and F 12:00-1:30 or by appointment
Office: DM 320C
Phone: 305 -348-4293
Required Class Materials:
Text Books
FIU e-mail account
Email:
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Academic dishonesty policy
Cheating is defined as the attempt, successful or not, to give or obtain aid and/or information by illicit means in meeting any academic requirements, including examinations. Cheating includes falsifying reports and documents.
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course provides an advanced study of Native American religion and spirituality, focusing on the sacred ecology, mythology, cosmology, ritual and dance complexes of a number of diverse tribes within North, Central, and South America. Native American religion is addressed within the larger historical and contemporary social, political, and cultural contexts.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- To gain understanding of the diversity of cultures and religious traditions of the indigenous Americas;
- To gain insight into and understanding of the significance and meaning of spirituality within Native American cultures;
- To understand Native American religion within the larger social, cultural, and environmental context of selected tribal communities;
- To learn fundamental methodological concepts utilized in the study and analysis of Native American religion;
- To gain an understanding of the economic, political, environmental and legal restrictions that have been placed upon the practice of Native American religions and culture.
LEARNING OUTCOMES/COMPETENCIES
- Students will gain an understanding of several predominant theories and methodological concerns in the analysis and description of religious ritual in Native American society.
- Students will develop an understanding of the role of key participants in Native American sacred rituals, including tricksters/clowns, shamans, and priests.
- Students will gain an understanding of the relationship of Native American religion to the predominant social, political, and cultural structures of the society in which it is a part, both historical and contemporary.
- Students will be introduced to a variety of tribal religious and ritual complexes to include Pueblo, Maya, Quecha, Mescalero Apache, and Oglala Sioux among others and gain an understanding of cultural specificities among Native American tribes.
- Students will be able to comprehensively define key terms related to religion and ritual in American Indian society (myth, sacred symbols, rites of passage, ritual).
LEARNING STRATEGIES
- Verbal instruction through lectures and class discussion
- Video and DVD
- Student oral presentations and group projects
- Reading and written assignments
- In-class experiential exercises
COURSE REQUIREMENTS AND EVALUATION
Grades are based on attendance, written assignments, class participation, and individual progress.
40% Mid term essay exam
20%Attendance and active class participation (evaluation based on attendance record, punctuality, attitude/effort, and mentoring of undergraduate projects)
40% Research paper and oral presentation
Grading Scale
A = 95 - 100 C = 70 -72
A- = 90 – 94 C- = 67 - 69
B+ = 85 – 89 D+ = 63 – 66
B = 80 – 84 D- = 60 - 62
B- = 77 - 79 F = 59 or less
C+ = 73 – 76
BIBLIOGRAPHY/SELECTED READING ASSIGNMENTS
Students are required to read the books listed below during the course of the semester. Readings and class lectures should provide source material for writing the mid-term and final take-home essay. Students are encouraged to read the optional listings as well.
Required texts
Reader in Native American Religion
Smith, Huston. A Seat at the Table: Huston Smith in Conversation with Native Americanson Religious Freedom, ed. Phil Cousineau, Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press, 2006 ISBN 0-520-24439-7 or ISBN 13: 978-0-520-24439-9
University Readers, Inc.
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Optional/Recommended Resources:
Brown, Joseph Epes. Teaching Spirits: Understanding Native American Religious Traditions.New York, New York: OxfordUniversity Press, 2001. ISBN: 0-19-513875-9
15-92114-7.
Champagne, Duane. Native America, Portrait of the Peoples (referencing of tribal America)
Deloria, Vine Jr. God Is Red: A Native View of Religion, 30th Anniversary Edition.
Golden, Colorado: Fulcrum Publishing, 2003.
Deloria, Vine. American Indians, American Justice
Gulliford Sacred Objects and Sacred Places
Gill, Sam. Native American Traditions, 1983
Hultkrantz, Ake. Native Religions of North America: The Power of Visions and Fertility, San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1987. ISBN 0-06-064061-8
Hultkrantz, Ake. Shamanic Healing and Ritual Drama, l992
Martin, Joel. The Land Looks After Us, 1999 and 2001.
Thorson. Native American Spirituality, l996.
Suzuki and Knudtson’s Wisdom of the Elders: Sacred Native Stories of Nature. New York: Bantam Books, l993.
West, Patsy. The Enduring Seminoles from Alligator Wrestling to Ecotourism,Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1998, ISBN 0-8130-1633-9
Young, William A., Quest for Harmony,Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing, 2002, ISBN 13: 978-0-87220-861-2 or ISBN 10: 0-87220-861-3
Zimmerman, Larry J. and Molyneaux, Brian Leigh. Native North America, Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1996, ISBN 0-8061-3286-8
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
- EXCELLENT ATTENDANCE/PARTICIPATION/TARDIES
Students are expected to attend every class session unless very ill or have a family emergency; class participation is essential to a comprehensive understanding of the culture.
Three late arrivals OR three early departures will result in one absence. The attendance policy is outlined below:
0 absence = A+
2 absences = A
3 absences = A-
4 absences = B+ etc...
Students who register late will not be penalized during the drop-add period; however your late registration must appear on the official University role received each week by the faculty.
Special arrangements can be made with the instructor in the event of illness, injury, or life commitments. If a sustained injury or illness prevents you from participating in class, a letter from your physician must be presented in order to be excused. An incomplete is only given if circumstances beyond your control prevent you from completing course requirements. An incomplete must be completed within two terms.
2. EXAMS
The mid-term essay exam will consist of essay topics based on class readings, as well as in-class instruction. Essays should demonstrate the student's skills in research methods, analysis and writing. All papers must be typed and checked for spelling and grammatical errors. Good writing skills are expected of all university students. Essays should integrate course readings, discussions, independent creative thinking, and presentations and include in-text citations and “References Cited” at the end of the text.
4. RESEARCH PAPER AND ORAL PRESENTATION
Graduate students are required to write a 20-25 page research paper on a topic to be approved by the instructor. Topics may be thematic or focus on a particular tribal religious tradition. A thesis, minimum of three references (not including assigned readings), and a brief outline should be submitted to the instructor by the fourth week of the semester for approval with a grade of B+ or above. Students may resubmit their thesis topic until they reach the minimum grade without penalty. Research papers must be presented to the class orally during the last month of the semester and accurately timed at 20 minutes. The oral presentation will comprise part of the overall grade for the research paper.
5. UNDERGRADUATE MENTORING
Graduate students will serve as mentors to undergraduate groups who will work on oral presentations. The role of the mentor will be to assist undergraduates in the development and presentation of their work during scheduled class sessions. Ideally, graduates will be paired with a group whose research interests and topics overlap.
UNDERGRADUATE ORAL REPORTS
Individual assignments within the group should be divided according to the following areas below. Depending on the number of people in each group, some students may have dual assignments from the topics below if there is insufficient resources to report on the topic or the topic is not central to the tribe’s ceremony.
1. Historical/sociological development and context of the tribe –up to 1930s
2. Mid 20th to 21st century (contemporary) expressions (influence of Christianity, modern expressions of religious traditions on the reservation, syncretism, etc.)
3. Mythology (myths of creation, time, space, meaning and analysis of sacred narratives, songs and oral traditions)
4. Symbolic systems and expressive culture (e.g. movement, colors, numbers, ceremonial objects) –include detailed description of ceremony, meaning of costumes, articles used in ceremony
5. Ritual specialists (clowns, shamans, priests roles and function)
6. Sacrificial rites, violence, rebellion, wars among the tribe (e.g. ball game among the Maya, human sacrifice; piercing among the Sioux)
7. Ethical relationships and precepts, moral values and codes; clan systems of organization, notion of kinship
8. Relationship to land
Note: Numbers 1 and 2 will be comprehensive and should not be combined with other topics
IMPORTANT GENERAL CLASS INFORMATION AND TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Late Work:
All late work, without prior approval by the professor, will lose 10 points for each day that it is late until the grade of 0 is reached. When the assignment is graded, the grading will start at the late grade.Communicate with the Professor:
Tips for Success:
1.Keep up with readings and assignments.
2. Talk to me if you have problems or questions! Together we can work out the problems. If you are having difficulties come talk to me BEFORE an assignment is due or if you have excessive absences. I cannot help you after you have turned in an assignment or have been chronically absent or tardy, but I can and will help you before the problems develop.
- Participation, focus, effort, concentration, and attendance are the keys to success!
E-mail:
I check e-mail often. It is reasonable to expect a return message within 72 hours. Generally I return e-mail in a much shorter amount of time; however, sometimes life does not allow that. However, please review the syllabus, course outline and web site often, as most of the answers can be found there.
Questions and comments should be sent to
Required Book:
Smith, Huston. A Seat at the Table: Huston Smith in Conversation with Native Americanson Religious Freedom, ed. Phil Cousineau, Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press, 2006. ISBN 0-520-24439-7
Articles are excerpted from the following books:
Deloria, Vine. For This Land: Writings on Religion in America, edited by James Treat, New York and London: Routledge, 1999. ISBN0-4
Farrer, / Claire. “Singing for Life: The Mescalero Apache Girls’ Puberty Ceremony.” In South Southwestern Indian Ritual Drama. Charlotte J. Frisbie, ed. Prospect Heights, IL : Waveland Press, Inc., 1989., pp.125-159. (Reissue of 1980a.)Kicza, John E., ed. The Indian in Latin American History: Resistance, Resilience, and Acculturation. Scholarly Resources Inc. Imprint: Wilmington, Delaware.
Marzal, Manuel. The Indian Face of God in Latin America. Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 1996.
Peterson, Anna and Vasquez, Manuel. Latin American Religions. New York: New YorkUniversity Press, 2008.
Sullivan, Lawrence E., Ed. NativeReligions and Cultures of Central and South America. New York: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2002.
Sullivan, Lawrence E., Ed. Native Religions and Cultures of North America. London: Continuum International Publishing Group, 2003.
Tedlock, Dennis and Barbara, Eds. Teachings from the American Earth: Indian Religion and Philosophy. New York: Liverright Publishing Corporation, l975.
ARTICLE ON RESERVE IN LIBRARY
Kealiinohomoku, Joann. The Drama of the Hopi Ogres,Southwestern Indian ritual drama: 37-69. Charlotte J. Frisbie (editor), A School of American Research Book, Advanced Seminar Series. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press, 1980, pp. 37-69. On reserve in Green Library
WEEK 1 and 2:INTRODUCTION TO NATIVE AMERICAN RITUAL AND RELIGIONAND METHODOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS IN STUDYING NATIVE AMERICAN RITUAL AND RELIGION
- Course Overview
- Introduction to Native American spirituality
- Theories and definitions of myth, ritual, key symbols as applied to Native American culture
- Methodological strategies for understanding Native American sacred ritual
Reading:
Deloria, Vine. "Native American Spirituality." For This Land: Writings on Religion in America. NewYork: Routledge, 1999. pp. 130-134.
Smith, Introduction: The Primal Religions, pp. 1-6
Deloria, Vine. "Religion and the Modern American Indian." For This Land: Writings on Religion inAmerica. New York: Routledge, 1999. pp. 122-129.
Sullivan, Lawrence. Introduction. Native Religions and Cultures of North America, pp. 1-32
Graduate
Peterson and Vasquez, Indigenous Religions, Latin American Religions, pp. 20-54.
WEEK 3: TIME AND SPACE IN NATIVE AMERICAN RELIGION
Reading:
Whorf, B.L. An American Indian Model of the Universe. In Tedlock, Dennis and Barbara
Tedlock, Eds.Teachings from the American Earth: Indian Religion and Philosophy. Liveright Publishing Corporation,1992. pp. 121-129.
.
Deloria, Vine. Civilization and Isolation, pp. 135-144
WEEK 4: NATIVE AMERICAN LINGUISTICS AND LANGUAGE
Reading:
Lee, Dorothy. "Linguistic Reflection of Wintu Thought." Tedlock, Dennis and Barbara
Tedlock, Eds.Teachings from the American Earth: Indian Religion and Philosophy . Liveright Publishing Corporation,1992. pp. 130-140.
Smith, Huston and George-Kanentiio, Douglas. Native Language, Native Spirituality: From Crisis to Challenge, pp. 75-96.
Graduate
Reading:
Smith, Huston. Stealing Our Spirit, pp. 130-145.
Smith, Huston. Healing of Indian Country, pp. 184-201.
Ortiz, Alfonso, Tewa World, in Tedlock, Teachings pp. 179-190
WEEK 5 (Sept. 22): LAKOTA RELIGION: THE VISION QUEST, GUARDIAN SPIRITS, SUN DANCE, AND SACRIFICE
Reading:
Deloria, Vine. "Introduction to Black Elk." For This Land: Writings on Religion in America. New York:Routledge, 1999. pp. 232-234.
Deloria, Vine. "Introduction to the Vision Quest." For This Land: Writings on Religion in America. NewYork: Routledge, 1999. pp. 269-272.
Powers, William. "Wiping the Tears: Lakota Religion in the 21st Century." Sullivan, Lawrence, Ed. Native Religions and Cultures of North America: Anthropology of the Sacred . Continuum International, 2003. pp. 104-120.
Graduate:
Grim, John A. Traditional Ways and Contemporary Vitality: Absaroke/Crow in Sullivan, pp. 53-84.
Deloria, Vine. Vision and Community. For This Land, pp. 108-117.
Deloria, Vine. The Coming of the People, pp. 235-242.
WEEK 6 : RITUAL SPECIALISTS: TRICKSTERS, CLOWNS, AND SHAMANS
Reading:
Tedlock, Barbara. "Clown’s Way." Tedlock, Dennis and Barbara Tedlock, Eds. Teachings from theAmerican Earth: Indian Religion and Philosophy . Liveright Publishing Corporation, 1992. pp. 105-121.
Graduate:
Kealiinohomoku, Joann. The Drama of the Hopi Ogres, Southwestern Indian ritual drama: 37-69. Charlotte J. Frisbie (editor), A School of American Research Book, Advanced Seminar Series. Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press, 1980, pp. 37-69. On reserve in Green Library Reference Desk
WEEK 7 and 8 : ECOLOGY, SPIRITUALITY, AND SACRED LANDS
Smith, Huston and LaDuke, Winona. Ecology and Spirituality, pp. 39-57
Smith, Huston and Charlotte Black Elk. Homelands of Religion, pp. 58-74.
Deloria, Vine. "Sacred Lands and Religious Freedom." For This Land: Writings on Religion inAmerica. New York: Routledge, 1999. pp. 203-213.
Graduate:
Smith, Huston and Lopez, Anthony Guy. Fight for Mt.Graham, pp. 147-161
Deloria, Vine. Reflection and Revelation: Knowing Land, Places, and Ourselves, pp. 250-260
Smith, Huston. Triumph of the NativeAmericanChurch, pp. 97-112.
WEEK 9: RITES OF PASSAGE: MESCALERO APACHE PUBERTY CEREMONY
Reading:
Talamantez, Ines. "In the Space between Earth and Sky: Contemporary Mescalero ApacheCeremony." Sullivan, Lawrence, Ed. Native Religions and Cultures of North America: Anthropology of theSacred . Continuum International, 2003. pp. 142-160.
Graduate:
Farrer, Claire. Singing for Life: The Mescalero Apache Girls Puberty Ceremony, pp. 125-159.
WEEK 10: MAYA OF GUATEMALA and MEXICO
Reading:
De la Garza, Mercedes. Sacred Forces of the Mayan Universe. Sullivan, Lawrence, Ed. Native Religions and Cultures of Central and South America: Anthropology of the SacredContinuumInternational, 2002. pp. 92-176.