You'll explore the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples across North and South America. The course covers topics like colonization, land rights, sovereignty, cultural preservation, and modern political movements. You'll examine how different Indigenous groups have resisted oppression and fought for their rights, while also learning about their diverse cultures and traditions.
It's not typically considered one of the toughest courses, but it does require a good amount of reading and critical thinking. The concepts aren't super complicated, but you'll need to keep up with the readings and be ready to engage in class discussions. Some students find it challenging because it often presents perspectives that are different from what they've learned before.
Introduction to Native American Studies: This course gives you a broad overview of Native American history, culture, and contemporary issues. It's a great foundation for more specific classes.
American History to 1877: You'll learn about early American history, including the interactions between European colonists and Indigenous peoples. This background is super helpful for understanding later Indigenous issues.
Latin American Indigenous Movements: Focuses on Indigenous activism and political movements in Central and South America. You'll learn about groups like the Zapatistas and their fight for rights and recognition.
Native American Law and Policy: Dives into the legal relationships between Indigenous nations and the U.S. government. You'll study treaties, court cases, and federal Indian law.
Indigenous Environmental Justice: Explores how environmental issues intersect with Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge. You'll look at cases like pipeline protests and land management conflicts.
Decolonizing Museums: Examines how museums have historically represented Indigenous cultures and the movement to change these practices. You'll learn about repatriation efforts and collaborative curation.
Native American Studies: Focuses on the history, culture, and contemporary issues of Indigenous peoples in North America. Students gain a deep understanding of Native American perspectives and experiences.
Anthropology: Examines human cultures and societies, often including significant study of Indigenous peoples. Anthropology students learn about cultural diversity and how societies change over time.
History: Covers the study of past events and their impact on the present. History majors often explore Indigenous histories as part of understanding broader historical narratives.
Sociology: Analyzes social structures, institutions, and human behavior. Sociology students may study Indigenous communities and their interactions with broader society.
Tribal Liaison: Works as a bridge between Indigenous communities and government agencies or private organizations. Tribal liaisons help facilitate communication and ensure Indigenous perspectives are considered in decision-making processes.
Museum Curator: Specializes in Indigenous art and artifacts, organizing exhibitions and managing collections. Curators work to accurately represent Indigenous cultures and often collaborate with Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Rights Advocate: Works with non-profit organizations or legal firms to protect and advance the rights of Indigenous peoples. Advocates may focus on issues like land rights, cultural preservation, or environmental protection.
Cultural Resource Manager: Protects and manages Indigenous cultural sites and artifacts. These professionals work to preserve important cultural heritage while balancing development needs.
Do I need to be Indigenous to take this course? Not at all! The course is open to students of all backgrounds who are interested in learning about Indigenous issues.
Will this course cover Indigenous peoples outside of the United States? Yes, the course looks at Indigenous issues across both North and South America, giving you a broader perspective on different Indigenous experiences.
How much writing is involved in this course? It varies, but typically you can expect to write a few short papers and possibly one longer research paper. Writing assignments usually focus on analyzing specific issues or comparing different Indigenous experiences.