LMKB_a428 Native Americans in Fantasy Fiction

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2020
Extent and Intensity
0/2/0. 4 credit(s). Type of Completion: z (credit).
Teacher(s)
Dr. Weronika Łaszkiewicz (lecturer), Mgr. Tereza Dědinová, Ph.D. (deputy)
Mgr. Tereza Dědinová, Ph.D. (seminar tutor)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Zbyněk Fišer, Ph.D.
Department of Czech Literature – Faculty of Arts
Contact Person: Mgr. Eva Zachová
Supplier department: Department of Czech Literature – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 18. 11. 14:00–17:30 VP, Thu 19. 11. 10:00–13:30 VP, Fri 20. 11. 9:00–12:30 VP
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
The capacity limit for the course is 22 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 1/22, only registered: 0/22, only registered with preference (fields directly associated with the programme): 0/22
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 24 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The racial politics of fantasy fiction is a topic which has recently gained much attention from scholars of the genre, who indicate that many fantasy narratives either entirely dismiss issues pertaining to ethnicity or, if they include characters of color, typically cast them in supportive roles or recycle stereotypical images. As far as Native Americans are concerned, their portrayal in fantasy fiction is rooted in the discourses of Colonialism and Romanticism, perpetuates the tropes of the noble savage and the vanishing race, and incorporates Native traditions and beliefs reconstructed by non-Native authors. The aim of the seminar is to investigate a range of texts written by non-Native authors in order to uncover and discuss their simulations of Native presence.
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to: Critically examine "habits of whiteness" in literature; Orient themselves in the broader context concerning both Fantasy and Native Americans portrayal; Interpret fantasy narratives.
Syllabus
  • Will be specified. Primary sources: T.A. Barron - The Ancient One (1992) - Charles de Lint - Svaha (2000) - J.K. Rowling - History of Magic in North America (2016) - Charles de Lint - The Wind in His Heart (2017) Seconadry sources: - Louise K. Barnett - The Ignoble Savage (1975) - Gerald Vizenor - Manifest Manners (1994) - Peter D'Errico - "Native Americans in America" (1999) - Andrew Macdonald et al. - Shape-Shifting: Images of Native Americans in Recent Popular Fiction (2000) - Gerald Vizenor - Native Liberty (2009)
Teaching methods
Thematic reading, discussion on the topic, homework.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
Study Materials
The course is taught only once.
Information on the extent and intensity of the course: 0.
Teacher's information
The seminar will take place from November 18. to 20 - in the week of humanities, when most of the regular classes will be suspended. We will try not to overlap with LMKB_a427 Game of Victims and Monsters: Representation of Sexual and Female Violence in A Song of Ice and Fire Game of Thrones, that is taking place in the same days. A more detailed timetable will be announced in due time.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2020/LMKB_a428