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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
NAIS D011.
Course Title (CB02)
Native American Contemporary Society
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This course is an exploration of contemporary Native American perspectives about economic, political, legal, and cultural changes impacting tribal cultures in the 20th and 21st centuries. Students will analyze issues regarding identity, the role of the federal government, economic development, health, cultural loss and preservation, reservation vs. urban communities, and sovereignty and self-determination.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course meets a general education requirement for ý, CSU GE, and IGETC. It is UC and CSU transferable. This course belongs on the Intercultural Studies AA degree. Course content focuses on the impact of ongoing social change in contemporary Native American populations. Exploring the unique nation-within-a-nation status of Native people provides insight into the complexity of modern tribal identity.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Formerly Statement
(Formerly ICS D041.)

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to both UC and CSU
ý GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GDXý GE Area D - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGDYCSU GE Area D - Social SciencesApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG4XIGETC Area 4 - Social and Behavioral SciencesApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
4.0
Maximum Credit Units
4.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours0.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
0.0
Total
48.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class essays

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Assignments

  1. Critical reading of journal/magazine, texts, supplemental library and web resource materials.
  2. Written Assignments
    1. Essay and short answer identification quizzes requiring summarization and interpretation.
    2. Written assessments demonstrating insightful synthesis and integration of assigned readings.
    3. Reporting formulated conclusions of out of class reading assignments from a multitude of resources and in-class discussions.
    4. Note-taking from primary and secondary American Indian Studies source materials.
  3. Oral Assignments: Participation in classroom discussions to examine key concepts, research project topics, assess student's skill in interpreting and debating relevant issues and other timely topics.
  4. Visual Assignments: View videotapes and cultural activities demonstrating comprehension of the "message" and ability to analyze and critique quality of the media viewed.
  5. Participation: experience American Indian community cultural events and classroom participation.
  6. Research Project: Guided research project that assesses a topic central to contemporary Native American studies.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Reading Activities: student mastery evaluated through written and oral activities requiring synthesis, analysis and interpretation of key concepts of the course of study.
  2. Writing Activities: Essays assess student ability to compare and evaluate phenomena, synthesize and revise data to support their own conclusions. Evaluation (to determine ability to accurately summarize and synthesize information) of note-taking using primary and secondary source materials for an individual research project to interpret a body of relevant information besides the required and recommended course texts.
  3. Oral Activities: Assessment of individual student contributions to class discussions, based on quality of synthesis, analysis and interpretation of key concepts of the course of study.
  4. Visual Activities: Written evaluation demonstrating comprehension of the message of visual content and ability to analyze and critique what was viewed.
  5. Participation: Evaluation (based on demonstrated comprehension, summary, and/or critique) of student reviews of experiential American Indian community cultural events. Assessment of participation and contributions during classroom discussions and activities, based on quality of synthesis, analysis and interpretation of key concepts of the course of study.
  6. Research project: Research project demonstrates student growth in interpreting and synthesizing other than course required readings, and the ability to critically appraise research topics and evaluate for relevancy of research materials.
  7. Examinations: Essay and objective midterm and comprehensive final examinations that are designed to evaluate retention and synthesis.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • None.

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Fixico, Donald. "Indian Resilience and Rebuilding: Indigenous Nations in the Modern American West." University of Arizona Press: 2013.
Horse Capture, George. "American Indian Nations: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow." Altamira Press: 2007.
Lawson, Russell M. "Encyclopedia of American Indian Issues Today." Greenwood Press: 2013.
Smithsonian Institution. "Do All Indians Live in Tipis? Questions & Answers from the National Museum of the American Indian." Smithsonian Books: 2018.
Treuer, Anton. "Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask." Borealis Books: 2012.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Bailey, Garrick A. and William C. Sturtevant. "Handbook Of North American Indians: Indians in Contemporary Society." Smithsonian Institution: 2008.
Bensen, Robert. "Children of the Dragonfly: Native American Voices on Child Custody and Education." University of Arizona Press, Tucson: 2001.
Biolsi, Thomas. "Deadliest Enemies: Making the Law and Race Relations On and Off Rosebud Reservation." University of California Press, Berkeley: 2001.
Dinwoodie, David W. "Reserve Memories: The Power of the Past in a Chilcotin Community" (Studies in the Anthropology of North American Indians). University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln: 2002.
Dunbar-Ortiz, Roxanne. "All the Real Indians Died Off": And 20 Other Myths About Native Americans." Beacon Press: 2016.
Edmunds, R. David. "The New Warriors: Native American Leaders Since 1900." University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln: 2004.
Eisler, Kim Isaac. "Revenge of the Pequots: How a Small Native American Tribe Created the World's Most Profitable Casino." University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln: 2002.
Fortunate Eagle. "Heart of the Rock: The Indian Invasion of Alcatraz." University of Oklahoma Press, Norman: 2002.
Greaves, Tom. "Contemporary American Indian Protests." AltaMira Press: 2005.
Kidwell, Clara Sue and Alan Velie. "Native American Studies." University of Nebraska Press: 2005.
Nielsen, Marianne O. and Karen Jarratt Snider (editors). "Crime and Social Justice in Indian Country." University of Arizona Press: 2018.
Simpson, Audra and Andrea Smith. "Theorizing Native Studies." Duke University Press: 2014.
Treuer, David. "Rez Life: An Indian's Journey Through Reservation Life." Grove Press: 2013.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Engage in a critical analysis of the nature of the sociological and Intercultural Studies' scholarship regarding contemporary Native American life.
  • Appraise the historical socio-cultural and socio-political processes, including critical events, histories, lived-experiences, and social struggles that affect contemporary Native Americans as "colonized and oppressed people."
  • Examine the existence and effectiveness of Contemporary Native American and non-Native socio-cultural and social-political organizations.
  • Evaluate the criteria associated with definitions of American Indian/Native American identity.
  • Investigate and assess the effects of stereotyping of American Indian people.
  • Analyze the dynamics of social change and ecological conflict of Native American tribal economic problems and predict economic futures of Indian tribes.
  • Ascertain the rights of the Native American tribal citizen, the tribal nation, and obligations of the Federal Government to Native American tribal nations, in order to interpret how treaties affect American Indian life today.
  • Examine 20th and 21st century Federal Indian policy, including self-determination, and explain its goals to evaluate its effectiveness from the Native American perspective.

CSLOs

  • Recognize and evaluate institutional inequality and practices of social justice in the context of Native American/Alaskan Native Communities.

  • Demonstrate an awareness of historical and contemporary Native American/Alaskan Native social movements and their relationship to the greater US society.

  • Describe the diversity of contemporary identities that are found within Native American/Alaskan Native Communities.

  • Research local organizations that support the goals of Native American communities, and engage in community activities.

Outline

  1. Engage in a critical analysis of the nature of the sociological and Intercultural Studies' scholarship regarding contemporary Native American life.
    1. Nature of sociology as the discipline reflects:
      1. the sociologist's knowledge about individual human behavior, human socio-cultural constructions and social-political organizations
      2. interests, perspectives and gender and cultural biases
    2. Examine and assess the Western sociological-intercultural study of the indigenous cultures of the Americas
      1. development of Western sociology
      2. development of Intercultural studies
      3. major intercultural approaches to the study of contemporary Native American life
    3. Assess the Native American perspective of Native cultures
      1. emic versus etic views of tribal cultures
      2. diachronic and synchronic views of tribal cultures
      3. development of Native American Studies as an academic field of study
  2. Appraise the historical socio-cultural and socio-political processes, including critical events, histories, lived-experiences, and social struggles that affect contemporary Native Americans as “colonized and oppressed people.”
    1. Loss of land base: epidemic pandemic disease, warfare, imprisonment, legislation, and reparations
    2. Implementation of Allotment Policy
    3. Reform and reform lobbies
    4. Prophets and leaders
    5. Evolution of the reservation concept
  3. Examine the existence and effectiveness of Contemporary Native American and non-Native socio-cultural and social-political organizations.
    1. family structure
    2. religion
    3. form and function of education: including Indian language retention and renewal
    4. political organization and power: Native American rights and self-determination
    5. dynamics of social change and conflict
    6. diversity, pluralism, urbanization
    7. Legal jurisdiction and sovereignty: government trust responsibilities and federal tribal recognition
    8. Economic institutions: gaming
  4. Evaluate the criteria associated with definitions of American Indian/Native American identity.
    1. Federal Government's legal definition of American Indian and Native American, and Federal agencies' use of definitions to determine Indian eligibility for programs
    2. Tribal governments' definitions of membership
    3. Definition of American Indian/Native American as debated for membership in pan-Indian associations
    4. Individual definitions as determined by reference group, socio-cultural, socio-political, and psychological processes
    5. Gender and sexual orientation; roles and function
  5. Investigate and assess the effects of stereotyping of American Indian people.
    1. Media portrayals including sports insignia and mascots
    2. Misappropriation of culture and religion, and misuse of terminology
    3. Role of education
  6. Analyze the dynamics of social change and ecological conflict of Native American tribal economic problems and predict economic futures of Indian tribes.
    1. Employment opportunities: industrialization, arts and crafts, casino enterprises, and urbanization
    2. Resource Utilization: renewable and non-renewable mineral and energy resources, infrastructure
  7. Ascertain the rights of the Native American tribal citizen, the tribal nation, and obligations of the Federal Government to Native American tribal nations, in order to interpret how treaties affect American Indian life today.
    1. Legislation and fiscal ramifications
    2. Welfare responsibility-shift to states
    3. Education and health care
    4. Indian response
  8. Examine 20th and 21st century Federal Indian policy, including self-determination, and explain its goals to evaluate its effectiveness from the Native American perspective.
    1. Reservation and assimilationist policies (including genocidal practices), education, and allotment
    2. Indian Reform and the "Indian New Deal," 1929-1944
    3. Termination and Relocation policy, (1944-1968) and pan-Indianism
    4. Self-determination and empowerment
    5. Recent legislation and its effects in the 21st century
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