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“Week 3, September 23” in “Course Schedule and Assignments”
Week 3, September 23
Topic: Navajo Dolls and Sand Paintings
Readings (Before Class, Posted on Manifold):
- Navajo Dolls: https://americanindian.si.edu/sites/1/files/pdf/education/SiYC_Dolls.pdf (pg. 7-9)
- An Art of Healing: Navajo Sandpainting: https://theojac.org/blog/2020/11/23/an-art-of-healing-navajo-sandpainting
- We Shall Remain: Sand Painting: https://www.pbs.org/video/kued-documentaries-we-shall-remain-sand-painting/ (Watch)
- (Optional) Together We Lift The Sky: yəhaw̓ and Black-Indigenous Artists Advance Social Justice, We Lift The Sky: yəhaw̓ and Black-Indigenous Artists Advance Social Justice
Assignments:
- Annotation Reading Response, Due Date: Due Friday September 27th
After engaging with these materials, please respond to ONE of the following questions in 100-300 words:
- Cultural Significance: Discuss the cultural importance of Navajo dolls and sand paintings. How do these art forms reflect the beliefs and traditions of the Navajo people?
- Healing and Art: Based on "An Art of Healing: Navajo Sandpainting," explain how sand paintings are used in Navajo healing practices. What elements of the sand paintings contribute to their healing properties?
- Personal Reflection: Reflect on your personal reaction to the video "We Shall Remain: Sand Painting." What did you find most striking or impactful about the sand painting process and its significance?
- Broader Connections: If you chose to read the optional material, "Together We Lift The Sky," how do the themes of social justice and cultural resilience presented in the article relate to the traditional art forms discussed in the other readings?
Please ensure that your response includes references to specific details from the readings and video. Your reflection should demonstrate a thoughtful engagement with the material and an understanding of the cultural contexts of these art forms.
Syllabus and Course Schedule
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