AMST 310		Michael R. H. Swanson, Ph. D.
Varieties of Religious Experience		Office: Feinstein CAS 110
Roger Williams University		Hours: M, T, Th, F 9:00-10:00
CAS 122		Or by Appointment
11:00 - 12:25 T, Th		Phone: (401) 254-3230
Spring, 2002		e-mail: mswanson@rwu.edu

Week of February 12, 2002		Native American Religions

For Tuesday, February 12

Read in Allitt
American Indians' Nature Religion (Albanese) pp. 40 - 50
in Albanese, Chapter 1. Original Manyness: Native American Traditions 24-30 (To The Oglala Sioux)
As you read these sections, be conscious about the ways the Native American world view differs from the European world view. Which elements seem most similar to your traditional or your personal views? Which are the least easy to understand? Which seem attractive, and why? Which seem unattractive, and why?

For Thursday, February 14

Read in Albanese, The Rest of Chapter 1 according to the formula below:
Last Name begins with A-L "The Oglala Sioux" 31 - 35
Last Name begins with M-Z "The Hopi" 35 - 41
EVERYONE, "Change in Native.... " to end of Chapter 41 - 47
Read in Allitt
2.4 Roger Williams Explains Rhode Island Indians' Language and Religion 32 - 34
2.5 Mary Jemison Describes the Five Feasts by which Seneca Marked the Changing Seasons 34 - 36
2.6 Tecaughretanego Explains Why the Great Spirit Sometimes Permits Men to Go Hungry Before Feeding Them. 36 - 38
2.7 John Heckwelder Describes the Delaware Indians' View of Bear Spirits, c. 1750 38-39
I've listed these readings in the opposite order from that which I wish to consider them. The first half of the period I'd like to use for a brief discussion of the four readings from Allitt. Three of the four are by Europeans, and as you read these, I'd like to have your focus be on how these Europeans interpreted Native American religion. Do the depictions seem accurate? Biased in favor? Biased Against? Consider, too, what evidence there may be that men and women like Williams, Jemison, and Heckwelder put European interpretations on what they saw or heard.

Tecaughretanego attempts to do something which members of other cultures do as well... try to understand why humans suffer. Are there any resemblances between his understanding and those you may have encountered elsewhere?

During the second half of the period I'm going to divide you into small groups, each of which will be composed of "experts" on both Sioux and Hopi Religions. I'm going to ask you to explain these to each other.