North American Indigenous Literatures

Module code: EN7922

This module introduces you to North American Indigenous literatures – texts of all sorts by Indigenous authors writing from the territories we now know as the United States and Canada. You will examine key themes and issues in modern and contemporary Indigenous literary and cultural studies, including the role of story; what it means to live through more than one apocalypse; Black and Indigenous solidarities; and responding to resource extraction and ecological disaster. Indigenous literatures span form and genre, and you will have the opportunity to read novels, short stories, and poetry. Supplementary material will include podcasts and films. In taking this module you will develop a nuanced understanding of relevant Indigenous concepts and theories to critically analyse works, while giving attention to historical, social, political, and cultural contexts. Throughout, you’ll be encouraged to consider your own critical positionality.