Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Summer 2021 - GSWS 211 D100

STT-Gender & Sexuality in Indigenous Film and Literature (3)

Intro to Gender in Indigenous Literature and Film

Class Number: 4460

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    May 12 – Aug 9, 2021: Mon, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

The course examines a variety of genres — film, short stories, fiction, novels, critical essays, and poetry — by Indigenous creators from across Turtle Island to understand Indigenous ideas of gender.

COURSE DETAILS:

Synchronous: Monday 14:30-17:20 via Zoom

Students will be watching longer films via streaming, so a computer and internet is required.

Short films will be screened during class via Zoom.

In their essay “Stolen From Our Bodies: First Nations Two-Spirits/Queers and the Journey to a Sovereign Erotic,” Cherokee scholar Qwo-Li Driskill positions the Sovereign Erotic as “wholeness healed and / or healing from the historical trauma that First Nations people continue to survive, rooted within the histories, traditions, and resistance struggles of our nations.” By creating narratives that centre Indigenous ways of knowing, Indigenous writers, artists, and filmmakers counteract colonial stereotypes. Analyzing how colonization “straightened” Two-Spirit and women’s roles will enable students to understand and appreciate Indigenous peoples’ continuing resurgence and resilience.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

For more detailed information please see the GSWS website: http://www.sfu.ca/gsws/undergraduate/courses/Educational_Goals.html

Grading

  • Regular Attendance and Participation 15%
  • Monkey Beach novel and film comparison (4 pages 25%
  • Paper Proposal (3 pages) 25%
  • Final Paper (8-10 pages) 35%

NOTES:

A Note on Emotional and Difficult Subjects

This course deals with a number of challenging and emotionally-charged issues, and some students may find the content unexpectedly stressful, especially around the discussion of ongoing colonization. Readings and films may include violence, including sexual violence. Please contact me if you have concerns about course content.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

Nixon, Lindsay. nîtisânak 978-0-9940471-7-5

O’Hara, ed. Two-Spirit Acts: Queer Indigenous Performances 9781770911840

Whitehead, Joshua. Jonny Appleseed 9781551527253

Robinson, Eden. Monkey Beach 9780676973228

Whitehead, Joshua, ed. Love After the End: An Anthology of Two-Spirit and Indigiqueer Speculative Fiction 9781551528113


Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SUMMER 2021

Teaching at SFU in summer 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods, but we will continue to have in-person experiential activities for a selection of courses.  Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).