This website has been designed both as a supplement to ENG 604 (Native American Autobiography) at California State University San Bernardino and as a resource page for scholars and general readers interested in the genre. The primary concern of the site author has been to foster a deeper understanding of these works in terms of their literary, historical, and legal contexts. There is some discussion of oral and pictorial modes of self-representation, but the primary focus here is on written texts. This reflects the specific academic expertise of the site author and should not be viewed as an attempt to privilege the written over the still-vital oral tradition.
The specific content areas of the site include course information for students enrolled in ENG 604 (and a link to the restricted, online portion of the class), overview materials on the literary history of Native American autobiography, brief summaries of important scholarly and secondary works, a discussion of the legal dimensions of defining Indian identity, a links page, and a page allowing direct feedback on the site. Visitors are strongly encouraged to offer constructive comments and suggestions for improvement.
The site has been conceived as an ongoing project and an evolving resource. This site was produced with financial support from the University Diversity Committee and the Office of Undergraduate Studies at California State University San Bernardino. The content of the site has been solely provided by Assistant Professor of English David J. Carlson. Comments, corrections, or suggestions to improve the site should be forwarded directly to him.