AIS 379 A: Powwow: Tradition and Innovation

PDF VERSION OF SYLLABUS

AIS 379 Powwow: Tradition and Innovation

Winter 2023

Loew Hall LOW 201

M/W 12:30 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.

Iisaaksiichaa Ross Braine (Apsaalooke Nation) MSIM

PhD Student, The Information School

Lecturer, Department of American Indian Studies

University of Washington

Email: dabraine@uw.edu

Zoom Office Hours: By appointment

Zoom Open Student Hours: Tuesdays, 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. PST

Zoom Link in Canvas or Meeting ID: 969 5005 009

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

American Indian and Alaska Native song and dance are the most indigenous of American art forms with time-honored traditions.  Native song and dance have not only served as a form of American Indian cultural preservation and resistance to colonialism, it has been a cultural tradition that has adapted and grown.  One of the more widely known forums for Native dance is Powwow, but Powwow is more than song and dance alone.  Within this class, students will learn about the history and traditions of Powwow, its various forms and cultural importance as well as other gatherings of Native people.  Students will learn how Powwow has changed and adapted, how it resisted eradication by the U.S. government, and how it was influenced by non-Indian intervention.  In addition, students can assist with the Annual Spring Powwow so as to have a firsthand experience.  By becoming familiar with Powwow, students will gain a window of study into more broad American Indian issues such as representation, cultural adaptation, and tribal sovereignty.

EXAMPLE READINGS:

• US Declaration of Independence
• Point Elliot Treaty of 1855
• 1989 Centennial Accord
• First Nations at UW: “Annual Spring Powwow Manual”
• Powwow Etiquette
• Zotigh, Dennis: "Moving History: The Evolution of the Powwow"
• Powwow Daily Schedule Draft
• Ellis, Clyde: “We Don’t Want Your Rations, We Want This Dance”
• Ellis, Clyde: “Two-Spirit Powwows and the Search for Social Acceptance in Indian Country”
• Axtmann, Ann: Performative Power in Native America Powwow Dancing
• Axtmann, Ann: Contemporary Wannabes
• Browner, Tara: “Dance Styles and Regalia”
• Browner, Tara: "Powwows in Space and Time"
• Browner, Tara: “Contemporary Native American Pow-wow Dancing (2000)”
• DesJarlait, Robert: “The Contest Powwow versus the Traditional Powwow”
• The Melting Pot in the 1990s.rtf
• pdf
• Hungry Wolf, Adolf: “Styles of Dress”
• Mattern, Mark: “The Powwow as a Public Arena for Negotiating Unity and Diversity in American Indian Life”
• A Brief Introduction to Plains Indian Singing
• Others as announced

See general schedule for dates for readings. Additional readings will be announced during class or via Canvas.

ASSIGNMENTS:

ASSIGNMENT DESCRIPTIONS

Discussions: 10 Responses, 100 – 150 words each (4 points per response) on what you thought of the reading, or an especially moving point you’d like to discuss further. You can also build off a classmate’s thoughts to continue down a common thread or respectfully challenge and introduce your own interpretation. You have been randomly separated into smaller discussion groups to ensure that ideas are fresh, and discussions can delve deeper into the subject matter. You do not have to wait until the due date, please feel free to create your discussions throughout the week and respond as you feel the need. Late responses deducted 10% for each day late. 

Reading Reflection: 2 responses, 250 – 400 words each (10 points per response). Select one reading and submit a critical analysis. A critical analysis should include your thoughts on the paper, not simply a report on what you read. You should dig deep into the article or story and dissect it using your thoughts and additional citations from other articles. Responses are to be submitted on the course canvas site by the due dates indicated. Late responses deducted 10% for each day late. 

Exams: 2 Exams, 100 points each. Questions covering only new material (Multiple Choice, True/False, Fill in the Blank, Short Response, and Essay). ONLINE EXAM.

Final: 150 points total.  The final will have groups of 4 to 6 students submitting a final Prezi. The Prezi will require the groups to investigate a dance style or tribal style not presented in class and describe the regalia, dance styles, and traditions related to gatherings. Prezis must be posted to Canvas prior to the final class.  

• 50 points: Groups will present their Prezi to the class in 15-minute blocks as assigned, each member of the group will present an equal amount of time.
  • Groups that are under or over by a substantial amount, 2 minutes or more, will have deductions to final group grade
• 100 points: Final paper (6 pages), will be based upon the final group subject matter and posted individually to Canvas by 10:20 am, Thursday, March 16.
  • Double Spaced
  • 1-inch Margins
  • 12 Point Font
  • Bibliography
    • 6 or more citations
    • No Wikipedia
    • APA or MLA
    • Does not count toward final page total
  • Tables, Figures, and Photos do not count toward final page total

Extra Credit: Assisting during the ASUW AISC Winter Powwow is expected, but not required. Assistance will be tracked by a volunteer sign up before the powwow; a sign-in/out sheet at the powwow; and a written 1-page summary of your volunteer activity. The summary must describe what you did for the powwow, noting the times and people you worked with. A summary is required for each day you volunteered.  Points (5 per day) will be awarded based upon the total number of hours and type of work (approximately 1 point per hour of volunteerism). Extra work or hours put in may increase the points per day.  Other extra credit opportunities may arise during the quarter.

*Class Participation: Since the class meets twice per week, missing a class can prove detrimental to your performance.  Each class represents 2 days of in-class lecture where we will discuss issues that will be in exams.

**Make-ups:  There are NO make-ups for missed midterms.  Midterms can be rescheduled ahead of time as needed and approved by the instructor. 

READING

Readings need to be done before the start of class so that we can discuss and go deeper into our lecture topics of that day.

GRADING

The University of Washington grading scale (out of 410 course points):

Grades/Points: A+ (397.7) A (393.19) A- (374.74) B+ (360.8) B (347.27) B- (328.82) C+ (314.88) C (301.35) C- (282.9) D+ (268.96)       D (255.02) D- (246) E (245 or less)

GPA: A (4.0-3.9) A- (3.8-3.5) B+ (3.4-3.2) B (3.1-2.9) B- (2.8-2.5) C+ (2.4-2.2) C (2.1-1.9) C- (1.8-1.5) D+ (1.4-1.2) D (1.1-0.9) D- (0.8-0.7) E (0.0 No Credit)

COURSE SUMMARY:

This content is subject to change and any changes will be announced in class or posted on this site.

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY

“Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at Religious Accommodations Policy (https://registrar.washington.edu/staffandfaculty/religious-accommodations-policy/). Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of this course using the Religious Accommodations Request form (https://registrar.washington.edu/students/religious-accommodations-request/).”

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS POLICY

Academic accommodations are determined for each student on an individual basis through an interactive process between DRS (http://depts.washington.edu/uwdrs/) and each student.  Requested accommodations must be supported by the documented effects of the disability.

How to Request Additional Disability Accommodations

Accommodations are approved initially by DRS staff in the Access Planning Meeting based on the needs and access barriers the student is encountering at that time. However, DRS recognizes that needs and barriers can change and/or evolve as a student progress through an academic program. If a student encounters new barriers or needs, or seeks to modify a current accommodations, they can request additional accommodations through myDRS. In myDRS select the “Additional Accommodation Request Form” and submit your request. A DRS Coordinator will follow up with you to reengage the interactive process and resolve your access need.