Time Schedule:
Sue-Ellen Jacobs
AIS 342
Seattle Campus
Examination of historical, archaeological, and anthropological writings about Native women of Pueblo homelands in New Mexico and Arizona. Emphasis on contemporary lives in modern upper Rio Grande Tewa Pueblos. Recommended: WOMEN 200; either AIS 201, AIS 202, AIS 240, AIS 317, WOMEN 353, or ANTH 353. Offered: jointly with WOMEN 342; Sp.
Class Description
Ethnohistorical and modern stories from Pueblo Indian women and men give us insight into the Pueblo memories of the past, and how those memories shape contemporary cultural practices of today (2004). We blend these with writings by non-Native social scientists and humanists in an effort to further our understanding of the impact of and resistance to European cultures within the Pueblo worlds. In the end, we return to stories from Pueblo women and men about revitalization of Pueblo language and cultures, and of economic growth and sovereignty issues being raised in the early 2000s.
There will be some lectures by Professor Jacobs, lots of films made by or in full collaboration with Pueblo Indian women and men, readings will be reported on by students in discussion groups/sessions during the quarter, two projects will be used to help give experiental learning about cultural practices: Dr. Tessie Naranjo of Santa Clara Pueblo will hold at least one (but hoping for two) sessions on pottery-making (you can look up "Santa Clara Pueblo", "pottery" or the family name "Naranjo" on the web to learn more about the importance of this exercise); we will have a "pot-luck" to which students will bring "traditional" pueblo food they have made at home based on recipe books ordered for the course... this fits with an understanding of women's and men's roles in preparation for "feast days" about 10 times a year.... Exams are take-home and are designed to provide additional learning experiences.
Recommended preparation
Take at least one of the suggested pre-requisite courses. Practice thinking critically, openly, and with suspension of disbelief!
Class Assignments and Grading
Please see above "General method of instruction."
Participation in class discussions; written evaluation/responses to films; two to three sets of short essays in response to "take home exam" questions; participation in pottery and pot-luck exercises; and other course events.
