University of Maine / Spring 2026
ENG 342 with Professor Morgan Talty
"One of the most basic calls for justice from Indian country is simply for America to tell the truth about history." — Vine Deloria Jr.
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This course surveys literature by Native American authors from a wide range of tribal backgrounds and cultural areas, focusing on the time period Kenneth Lincoln highlighted as the "Native American Renaissance" (1960s-2000s). We question and critique the validity of his claim: Was it truly a renaissance, or was Western culture eager to categorize these marginalized voices?
Tuesday & Thursday
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
Neville Hall 227
Tue/Thu 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Neville 313
Western Cultural Tradition
Cultural Diversity & International Perspectives
Additional readings available free on Google Classroom, including Custer Died for Your Sins, Winter in the Blood, and selected poems.
| Week | Topic / Reading | Due |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction & Kenneth Lincoln's "Renaissance" | |
| 2-3 | House Made of Dawn (Momaday) | Timeline Entry #1 |
| 4 | Custer Died for Your Sins (Deloria) | Timeline Entry #2 |
| 5-6 | Winter in the Blood (Welch) | Timeline Entry #3 |
| 7 | Silko & Harjo poems | Essay #1 Draft |
| 8 | "Saint Marie" (Erdrich) & Diaz poems | Peer Review |
| — | Spring Break (Mar 8-16) | |
| 9-10 | The Round House (Erdrich) | Essay #1 Due |
| 11-12 | Heart Berries (Mailhot) | Essay #2 Draft |
| 13-14 | There There (Orange) | Essay #2 Due |
| 15 | Final Presentations | Timeline & Final Project |
Your AI teaching assistant for ENG 342. Uses Socratic method to guide you through readings, essay development, and critical analysis. Ask about course policies, readings, Federal Indian Law, or help developing your arguments.
Morgan Talty
morgan.talty@maine.edu
Neville Hall 313
Office Hours: Tue/Thu 9am-12pm