Fall 2006

E 322 • Midnight Sun People: The Sami

Course Description

In this interdisciplinary course we will learn about the Sami, an indigenous people living today mainly in the northern parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia. We will first place the Sami in a historical-cultural context by examining factual materials, both historical and contemporary, on the Sami's social and economic systems, religion, customs and values. Many of the readings will have an outsider's point of view, but there will be materials written by Sami scholars as well. In the major portion of the course we will view the Sami primarily from within; the Sami will present themselves through their literature, film, music and art.

Grading Policy

Journal including final essay, minimum 12 pages 25%
Substantial revision of final essay, minimum 12 pages 25%
Film review of Pathfinder, a film retelling an old Sami legend. At least 4 pages 10%
Exams 20%
Oral Report 10%
Class Participation 10%

Texts

Mulk/Kuoljok/Utsi, The Saami-People of the Sun and the Wind
Valkeapää, Nils-Aslak, Trekways of the Wind
Gaski, Harald, In the Shadow of the Midnight Sun-Contemporary Sami Prose and Poetry
Gaski, Harald, Sami Culture in a New Era
Peoples, James & Garrick Bailey, Humanity: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
Gaup, Ailo, In Search of the Drum
Basso, Keith B., Portraits of "the Whiteman"
Neihardt, John G., Black Elk Speaks
Jenssen, Frank A., The Salt Bin

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