Spring 2013 – New Course
AIS 490/590 Indigenous Performance and Creative Process

Joy Harjo
Professor, American Indian Studies
(www.joyharjo.net)

Monday, Wednesday
4:00 – 06:20
Second eight-week course (meets March 11 thru May 1)

American Indian Studies is pleased to offer a new course to be taught by new faculty member Joy Harjo, distinguished Mvskoke Creek poet, musician, and performance artist.

This course will focus on two performance events:  a Hawaiian hula which investigates context, structure, and the merging of poetry, dance, and music; and, a Mvskoke stomp dance, with lyrics and stories included in and around the performance.   The course is based on the premise that Indigenous performance and creative processes of poetry, music, and dance are a natural fusion.

Possible text/media include: “Holo Mai Pele” (Pele Travels), “Ka Honua Ola – ‘Eli‘eli Kau Mai: The Living Earth – Descend, Deepen the Revelation,” “Stomp Dance Blues — A Tribute to Johnna,” singers John A. Gibson, James Squirrel, John Ballard and Ben Barnes, and the music of Jim Pepper.

We encourage students in performing and visual arts and creative writing to consider this course that focuses on performance and craft as practiced in the Indigenous world.  The course is open by permission to advanced undergraduates and graduate students (contact John McKinn mckinn@illinois.edu)