Abstract

While much has been written about teaching Native American literature and works by American Indian authors are plentiful, a majority of students come to postsecondary American Indian literature courses with a dearth of prior knowledge about native worldviews, tribal diversity, and myths and themes that appear in much of the literature. Since reading is predicated in many ways upon prior knowledge, Zitzer-Comfort presents an introduction to fashioning a literature course that provides background knowledge vital to understanding Native American literature. Referring to specific texts, Zitzer-Comfort explores ways of teaching American Indian literature that enables students to develop ways of seeing the world through indigenous eyes. Drawing on her work as coeditor (with Carolyn Dunn) of Through the Eye of the Deer and several years of teaching ethnic studies, American Indian literature, and ethnic literature, Zitzer-Comfort presents an overview of major themes in Native American literature, explores ways of teaching specific texts, and discusses the importance of teaching American Indian literature within specific tribal, historical, and sociocultural contexts.

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