Indigenous North American Expression

Catalog description

Three lecture. Students will develop an appreciation and understanding of the rich variety of Indigenous expression rooted in cultural lifeways, including music, film, dance, art, literature, language, and spirituality that comprise Indigenous North American artistic expression. We will review and discuss the contribution of Indigenous peoples to the American aesthetic tradition, Indigenous North American “aesthetic traditions” in their own right, as well as explore the complex relationships between Indigenous and mainstream American artists and artistic forms, movements, and traditions. Students will be able to: increase their understanding of Indigenous peoples and the broad range of diversity found among Indigenous cultures throughout North America; become more familiar with the language of Indigenous Peoples expressive arts; understand and appreciate that Indigenous artistic expression has always adapted and evolved in new circumstances; that it has always been both traditional and contemporary; interpret and evaluate information from a variety of sources pertaining to Indigenous cultures, demonstrating the essential skill of critical thinking through writing and online discussion; explore the complex relationships between Indigenous and mainstream American artists and artistic forms, movements, and traditions. General Education: Arts and Humanities, Institutions in the Americas