Journalism 415/512: Representations of Native Americans in Media

From sports mascots, tourist “junk,” and New Age paraphernalia to superb films and museum exhibits, the images of Indians presented to the public and Indians themselves become confusing and often are stereotypical. Through readings, videos, online materials, and hands-on projects, this course will consider a wide range of issues including economics, ethics, authenticity, stereotyping, and sovereignty. There is an underlying theme, indeed a tension, in this class between self-representation and representation by non-Natives in a variety of realms, from museums to film and literature. Because the subject matter cuts across the realm of Indigenous issues, the class and readings will necessarily touch upon similar issues in non-Native American Indigenous cultures.