Time Schedule:
Gary J. Witherspoon
AIS 317
Seattle Campus
Overview of history and ethnography of the Southwest with emphasis on Apacheans, Pueblos, and Pimans/Yumans. Social organization, religion, worldview, and expressive culture of such specific groups as Navajo, Hopi, Zuni, Tewa, and Tohono O'odham.
Class description
The times in the time schedule are incorrect. This class will meet in two 50 mintue periods on Thursdays from 2:30-4:20. The catalog description of this course is out of date. Course content does not focus on the Yumans or the Tewa. The course starts with the archaeology of the Southwest, and the course emphasizes how this archaeology informs contemporary ethnography and how contemporary ethnography informs traditional archaeology, which is inadequate and inaccurate without seeing it in light of the world views of SW Indigenous cultures. The emphasis is on learning how to see the world from an Indigenous Southwest perspectives. It emphasizes the history and world view of the Zuni, the Hopi, the Navajo, the Apache and the Tohono O'odham. In depth study of the Hopi and Navajo form the core of the course. Students read two autobiographies of persons who are either Hopi, Zuni, Navajo or Tohono O'odham to complement the lectures and the visuals.
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
This will be an experimental course where much of the material will be presented in slides and videos on line. Students will come to class for clarifications to lectures on line, and for discussion and exams Lectures are supplemented with extensive visual imagery and films, as well as the personal experience of the teacher. All lectures are done with Keynote slides, Apple Computer's power point type presentation program, incorporating photos and videos in these presentations. Copies of the lecture slides and videos will be on line and possibly made available to students through reserve desk at the media center of the undergrad library as well.
Recommended preparation
A serious desire to walk in the moccasins of persons from a different culture and historical experience. The class is an exercise in empathy, transporting oneself into the Indigenous histories and cultures of the Southwest.
Class assignments and grading
Read two biographies/autobiographies and write a 2-4 page response to each. These are the only reading assignments other than the online lectures. There will be two exams, consisting 40 points for 20 objective questions and 60 points for two essay questions. I will be giving writing or W credit for students who complete all of their writing assignments in an acceptable manner.
Exams 60%, papers 30% and classroom participation and contribution 10%.
