Coffee and visiting with our Institute of American Indian Studies staff is encouraged when we are not engaged in normal Institute routines. While at the Institute, you are invited to visit and use the materials found in the South Dakota Oral History Center (appointment appreciated) or browse the Joseph H. Cash Memorial Library. You can find specific information about the Institute’s resources on our website.

(Also PHIL 460). This course deals with American Indian thought from an experiential point of view. It examines myth and legends of various kinds to "construct" the outlook or "world view" of the American Indian. No prerequisite.

Course Philosophy

All too often American Indian philosophy, spirituality, and intellectual endeavors are compared and contrasted with European disciplinary counterparts without a thoughtful discourse from the Indian point of view. In this course, we will attempt to construct native philosophy, with an emphasis on Dakota/Lakota/Nakota Oyate (people), from a wide array of sources. Based primarily on American Indian oral history and artistic endeavors, we will explore these strands of thought with the idea of bringing a better understanding to the American Indian presence as it prepares to move into the twenty-first century.

Class meetings will include discussion, lecture, audiovisual, and visiting scholars/resource people.

Success Tracking System

Students will read, analyze, and explore the ideas found in the Required Readings List. In the course of our weekly meetings, each person will be expected to share their thoughts with other members of the discussion group. Because American Indians were predominantly an oral society, grades will be assigned dependent on each person’s contribution to the class. Occasional thought papers will be assigned and a final project will also be required. Discussion about the final project will take place during the semester.

Because of your different needs (potential elementary or secondary education teachers), alternative evaluation sources can be pursued. These alternatives, if needed, can be discussed between the individual and the instructor.

Periodic updates on course matters will be posted at as needed on this site. Each of you are encouraged to obtain access to the internet.

Required Readings List

• Deloria, Ella C. Waterlily. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1988; bison books 1990.
• Goodman, Ronald. Lakota Star Knowledge: Studies in Lakota Stellar Theology. Mission, SD: Sinte Gleska College, 1990.
• The Seven Visions of Bull Lodge: As told by his daughter, Garter Snake. Gathered by Fred P. Gone, ed. By George Horse Capture. Ann Arbor, MI: Bear Claw Press, 1980; reprint, Bison Books, 1992
• Standing Bear, Luther. Stories of the Sioux. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin, 1937; reprint Bison Books, 1988.
• Zitkala-Sa [Gertrude Simmons Bonnin]. American Indian Stories. Washington, DC: Hayworth Pub. House, 1921; reprint Bison Books, 1985.
• ________. Old Indian Legends. Boston, MA: Ginn, 1901; reprint, Bison Books, 1985.

Further Readings

Bibliography

Class Meeting Dates, Lecture Topics

We will meet on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00A-9:50A according to the University Calendar for the Spring Semester 1998.

Jan 12 Introduction, talk about syllabi, film Peyote Road

Jan 14 Discussion about American Indian Religious Freedom

Jan 21 Goals of class, course philosophy, discussion of experiential point of view

Jan 26 Stories as Teaching tools; Iktomi as storytelling foil; Genesis: Horse, Fire. Readings: Stories of the Sioux (SOTS hereafter), pp. 71-79; Lakota Star Knowledge (LSK hereafter), pp. i-v, 1-11

Jan 28 Continuation of Stories as Teaching Tools, Genesis, Iktomi, Four Directions, Four Cardinal Virtues

Feb 2 Waterlily, Publisher's Preface, ix-xii, Biographical Sketch of the Author, 229-231, Afterword, 233-244; Ch.s 1-4; Handout, PART II, "A Scheme of Life that Worked," 4. Kinship's Role in Dakota Life; LSK, 11-19; SOTS, iii-70
Feb 4 Place of Relatives in scheme of life, discussion from Handout, Waterlily; other tribal groups; the heavens-discussion from LSK
Feb 9 Continued discussion of Waterlily, Handout; the heavens
Feb 11 Continued discussion of Waterlily; begin reading The Seven Visions of Bull Lodge
Feb 18 TBA
Feb 23 TBA
Feb 25 TBA
Mar 9 TBA
Mar 11 TBA
Mar 16 TBA
Mar 18 TBA
Mar 23 TBA
Mar 25 TBA
Mar 30 TBA
Apr 6 TBA
Apr 8 TBA
Apr 15 TBA
Apr 20 TBA
Apr 22 TBA
Apr 29 TBA
May 6, 12:30-2:30 p.m., Final Examination, location to be announced

Return to Spring 1998 Schedule
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2 February 2000, lrb, sm