ENGL 2600

Introduction to Native American Literature

Course Description

Course information provided by the 2026-2027 Catalog.

The production of North American Indigenous literatures began long before European colonization, and persists in a variety of printed, sung, carved, painted, written, spoken, and digital media. From oral traditions transmitted through memory and mnemonics to contemporary genres and media, Native North American authors offer Indigenous perspectives on social, political, and environmental experience, through deft artistry and place-specific aesthetics. Our attention will focus on the contexts from which particular Native American literatures emerge, the ethics to consider when entering Indigenous intellectual territory, and close attention to common themes and techniques that frequently appear in contemporary Native American literature. Readings will feature a range of novels, poetry, short fiction, graphic novel/comics, and film. (ENGL-LOA, ENGL-PST)

Distribution Requirements (CA-AG, D-AG, LA-AG), (ALC-AS, SCD-AS)

Exploratory Studies (CU-SBY)

Last 4 Terms Offered 2026SP, 2023FA, 2022FA, 2020FA

Learning Outcomes

• Identify and explain core concepts in Indigenous studies, such as sovereignty and traditional ecological knowledge.
• Interpret and analyze a literary text's main ideas.
• Demonstrate a close reading of a literary text by evaluating the effect of literary devices.
• Write scholarly essays that develop and support a central argument.

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