Native American Film
NAS3333
6/1/04
Research Paper Assignment (Due 6/22/04):
For this assignment, you are to write a 5-10pp. research paper with at least THREE
sources, and proper MLA documentation and bibliography on an Indian film that we have
NOT watched/discussed this semester…
You are to select ONE film that depicts either an Indian character or an Indian culture
(you must decide on your film by Thursday, 6/3/04). After having selected and examined
your film, you must formulate your response around the three focal concerns that John
O’Connor identifies in his essay, “The White Man’s Indian: An Institutional Approach”
(dramatic, commercial, and political). Some of the issues you may wish to critically
examine that both affect and effect the film’s representation of Indians are:
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the historical time/context that the film depicts (i.e. the 1880’s west Texas cattle
ranching; 1960’s mental institution)
the historical time/context of the film’s production/reception (out of what climate
is the film born? The Great Depression? Post-war prosperity? Cold war
skepticism?)
the film’s public and critical responses (box office revenues, awards, reviews,
articles, etc.)
the film’s production history
the film’s adaptation (if any) from its original source
the (un)stereotypical treatment of Indians (intellectual, spiritual, sexual)
Please consult Timothy Corrigan’s Chapters 6 and 7 on “Researching the Movies” and
“Manuscript Form” for proper citation and documentation techniques.
Some additional resources you may want to consider are:
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The Internet Movie Database: www.imdb.com
Native Celebrities Website: www.nativecelebs.com
UC Berkeley Native Film Bibliography:
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/MRC/IndigenousBib.html
American Indian Film Institute: http://www.aifisf.com/
OU Library System and Resources: http://www-lib.ou.edu/
Please consult with me about any questions/concerns you may have… DO WELL!