English 308

English 308: Native Literature in Canada consists of ten units, each of which examines a particular aspect of Native Canadian literature. The following outline lists the units and the required student activities:

Unit 1: Introduction to Native Literature—This unit examines the aesthetic nature of oral literature in relation to the development of contemporary Native literature, primarily in Canada.

Diagnostic Assignment (10%)

Unit 2: Creation Myths—This unit examines the theories and concepts of creation myths found in the oral literature of Native North America, and explores the concept of worldview and contemporary Native literature.

Unit 3: The Trickster—This unit focuses on traditional trickster mythology and its relationship and influence on contemporary forms of Native literature and short stories.

Unit 4: Historical Orations—This unit examines Native rhetoric, its historic significance, and its literary traits.

Unit 5: Contemporary Native Poetry—This unit examines contemporary themes, linguistic styles, and forms of expression in contemporary Native poetry.

Essay Assignment 1 (25%)

Unit 6: Contemporary Short Fiction—This unit examines the themes, structure, and narrative styles in selected readings of contemporary short fiction.

Unit 7: Contemporary Native Drama—This unit examines contemporary Native theatre and its relationship to dramatic presentation, language, contemporary themes, and oral traditions.

Unit 8: Contemporary Novel—Monkey Beach. This unit looks at a primarily Western narrative plot and structure as well as how the Native writer weaves aspects of the spiritual realm into a contemporary novel.

Unit 9: Oral Fiction—The Way to Rainy Mountain. This unit explores the various structural elements, narrative styles, characterizations, and thematic developments that are evidenced in a contemporary Native novel.

Unit 10: Fusion Fiction—Green Grass, Running Water. This unit looks at a narrative style and plot that is reflective of an oral storytelling event. The emphasis is on how theme and figurative language are used to provide an Indigenous perspective on history, religion, and the process of colonization.

Essay Assignment 2 (25%)

Final Examination (40%)