HUAS 7304 Post-Colonial Theory/Visual Arts

W. Jackson Rushing III

For an appointment, please contact Sherry Clarkson: ex. 2756
jackson.rushing@utdallas.edu

This reading seminar is focused on post-colonial theory in practice, emphasizing critical discourse on
both colonial and contemporary art from Australia, Native America, and Oceania. Students will take an
active role in leading class discussion of the weekly reading assignments. Attendance is both mandatory
and essential. Absenteeism will have a decidedly negative impact on the final grade.

Required texts:
W. Richard West, Jr., et al., James Luna: Emendatio
James H. Nottage, Ed., Diversity and Dialogue
Nicholas Thomas, Possessions: Indigenous Art/Colonial Culture

Schedule:
Jan. 8 Introduction (to James Luna); reading: all of Emendatio; plus Diversity and Dialogue, pp. 25-37;
plus visit/experience James Luna’s website: www.jamesluna.com; assignment: write a 250-500 word
statement titled “My Ethnicity/Cultural Identity;” due Tuesday, Jan. 15.

Jan. 15 Writing assignment due (“My Ethnicity/Cultural Identity”); discuss readings from Jan. 8;
reading for Jan. 22: Diversity and Dialogue, pp. 6-23, 39-61. Plus visit/experience
www.danaclaxton.com.

Jan. 22 Discuss readings from Jan. 15; reading for Jan. 29: Diversity and Dialogue, pp. 61-110; plus
visit/experience www.larrymcneil.com and www.larrymcneil.blogspot.com. Writing assignment: book
review of Diversity and Dialogue, 750-1000 words, due Feb. 5.

Jan. 29 Discuss readings from Jan. 22; new reading assignment: Joe Feddersen, TBA.

Feb. 5 Discuss readings, Joe Federsen presentation; new reading assignment: Andrea Carlson, TBA;
www.mikinaak.com. Writing assignment due: book review of Diversity and Dialogue.

Feb. 12 Discuss readings, Andrea Carlson presentation. Reading for Feb. 26, Thomas, Possessions,
Chapters 1-4.

Feb. 19 No Class meeting

Feb. 26 Discuss readings; reading assignment: Thomas, Chapters 5-9. Writing

assignment: book review of Thomas, Possessions, 750-1000 words, due March 18.

March 5 Discuss readings; new readings for March 18: Phillips and Steiner, “Art, Authenticity,
and the Baggage of Cultural Encounter;” Frank Ettawageshik, “My Father’s Business;” and Phillips,
“Nuns, Ladies, and the ‘Queens of the Huron.’”

March 18 Writing assignment due: book review of Thomas, Possessions; discuss readings, new
reading assignment: Steiner, “Authenticity, Repetition, and the Aesthetics of Seriality;” Aldona Jonaitis,
“Northwest Coast S Totem Poles;” and Berlo, “Drawing (upon) the Past.”

March 25 Discuss readings; reading assignment for April 1: Bol, “Defining Lakota Tourist Art,
1880-1915;” Parezo, “The Indian Fashion Show;” and Lee, “Tourism and Taste Cultures.”
April 1 Discuss readings; reading assignment for April 8: Batkin, “Tourism is Overrated;” Nicks, “Indian
Villages and Entertainments;” Graburn, “Introduction: The Arts of the Fourth World;” and Graburn,
“Ethnic and Tourist Arts Revisited.” Writing assignment: “Tourism, Colonial Art, Post-Colonial
Discourse;” 7-10 pages; due April 22.

April 8 Discuss reading; reading assignment for April 15: Jimmie Durham, “Cowboys and . . . ,”
Rushing, Jimmie Durham: Trickster as Intervention;” Jean Fisher, “The Savage Gift: Jimmie Durham’s
Ama;” Judy Purdom, “Who is Jimmie Durham;” and Jaki Irvine, “Jimmie Durham, Original Re-Runs.”

April 15 Discuss readings; reading assignment for April 22: Rushing: “Essence and
Existence in Allan Houser’s Modernism;” “Modern Spirits;” “Manifest Sovereignty;” and “In Our
Language.”

April 22 Discuss readings/presentation (Houser, Morrison, Heap of Birds); Writing

assignment due: “Tourism, Colonial Art, Post-Colonial Discourse.”

Important deadlines:
Jan. 15: 250-500 word statement titled “My Ethnicity/Cultural Identity.”
March 18: Writing assignment due: book review of Thomas, Possessions (750-1,000 words).
April 22: Writing assignment: “Tourism, Colonial Art, Post-Colonial Discourse;” 7-10 pages.

Grading:
Class participation: 40%
Paper #1 (“My Ethnicity”): 10%
Paper #2 (Book Review): 20%
Paper #3 (Tourism, etc.): 30%