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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
NAISD013.
Course Title (CB02)
Survey of Native American Arts
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
This is a survey of pre-contact, traditional, and contemporary styles and forms of Native American arts, viewed from within the context of tribal culture and tradition. Consideration is given to the influence and impact of introduced methods, techniques, and resources on the production of art and how it led to the development of contemporary Native American artistic expression.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course meets a general education requirement for °®¶¹´«Ã½, CSU GE, and IGETC, and is UC and CSU transferable. This course belongs on the Intercultural Studies AA degree. Course content focuses on the continuing practice and expression of Native American artistic traditions. Students are introduced to examples of art within the context of tribal settings, linking historical connections to contemporary works to understand cultural shifts over time.

Foothill Equivalency

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

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Formerly Statement
(Formerly ICS D045.)

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
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GC1°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area C1 - ArtsApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGC1CSU GE Area C1 - ArtsApproved
IGETCArea(s)StatusDetails
IG3AIGETC Area 3A - ArtsApproved

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

In-class essays

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, text and supplemental 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. Report formulated on summary of conclusions from in-class discussions and collaborative work.
    4. Note-taking, to determine ability to accurately summarize and synthesize information, 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, synthesizing, 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. Evaluation (based on demonstrated comprehension, summary, and/or critique) of attendance at American Indian community cultural events and classroom participation.
  6. Research Project: Guided research project that assesses a topic central to American Indian tribal/contemporary artistic traditions.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Reading Activities: Student mastery evaluated through written and oral activities requiring synthesis, analysis and interpretation of key concepts.
  2. Writing Activities. Quizzes: Essays assess student ability to compare and evaluate phenomena, synthesize and revise data. 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 assessment, including short answer, short essay, and quizzes of activities 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 data and evaluate for relevancy of research materials.
  7. Examinations: Essay and objective comprehensive final examination that evaluates retention and synthesis of American Indian tribal/contemporary artistic traditions.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

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

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Anthes, Bill and Thomas Nicholas. "Native Moderns: American Indian Painting, 1940-1960" (Objects/Histories). Duke University Press: 2006.
Berlo, Janet Catherine, et al. "Native North American Art, 2nd edition." Oxford University Press, Oxford, U.K.: 2014.
Browner, Tara . "Heartbeat of the People: Music and Dance of the Northern Pow-wow" (Music in American Life) University of Illinois Press, Bloomington: 2004.
Penney, David W. "North American Indian Art." Thames & Hudson, New York: 2004.
Zimmerman, Larry J. "American Indians the First Nations: Native North American Life, Myth and Art." Duncan Baird: 2003.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Anderson, Duane. "All That Glitters: The Emergence of Native American Micaeous Art Pottery in Northern New Mexico." School of American Research, Sante Fe, New Mexico: 2004.
Archuleta, Margaret Shared. "Visions: Native American Painters and Sculptors in the Twentieth Century." New Press: Reissue edition 1993.
Bernstein, Bruce, Gerald McMaster, Kathleen E. Ash-Milby and Donald Kuspit. "First American Art: The Charles and Valerie Diker Collection of American Indian Art." National Museum of the American Indian: 2004
Bibby, Brian. "Precious Cargo: California Indian Cradle Baskets and Childbirth Traditions." Heyday Books, Berkeley: 2004.
Browner, Tara . "Heartbeat of the People: Music and Dance of the Northern Pow-wow" (Music in American Life) University of Illinois Press, Bloomington: 2004.
Feast, Christian. "Native Arts of North America." Thames & Hudson, New York: 1985.
Goldfein, Roanne, ed. "American Indian Art." American Indian Art Inc., Tempe, Arizona: published quarterly.
Greene, Candace S. and Russell Thornton, ed. "The Year the Stars Fell: Lakota Winter Counts at the Smithsonian." University of Nebraska Press: 2007.
Green, Stewart M. "Rock Art: The Meanings and Myths Behind Ancient Ruins in the Southwest and Beyond." Falcon Guides: 2018.
Heidlund, Ann Lane. "Navajo Weaving in the Late Twentieth Century: Kin, Community, and Collectors." University of Arizona Press, Tucson: 2004.
Her Many Horses, Emil and George Horse Capture. "Song for the Horse Nation: Horses in Native American Cultures." Fulcrum Publishing: 2006.
Kaiser, David A. and James D. Keyser (editors). "American Indian Rock Art - Volume 44." Sunbelt Publications: 2018.
Kavasch, E. Barrie. "The Mound Builders of Ancient North America: 4000 Years of American Indian Art, Science, Engineering, & Spirituality Reflected in Majestic Earthworks." iUniverse.com: 2003.
Kidwell, Clara Sue and Richard Hill. "Treasures Of The National Museum Of The American Indian: Smithsonian Institute." Abbeville Press: 2005.
Lonetree, Amy and Amanda J. Cobb-Greetham. "National Museum of the American Indian: Critical Conversations." University of Nebraska Press: 2008
McCleary, Timothy P. "Crow Indian Rock Art: Indigenous Perspectives and Interpretations." Routledge: 2015.
Moore, Ellen K. "Navajo Beadwork: Architectures of Light." University of Arizona Press, Tucson: 2003.
National Museum of the American Indian. "Identity by Design: Tradition, Change, and Celebration in Native Women's Dresses." Smithsonian: 2007.
Penney, David W. and Joe D. Horse Capture, et al. "Indigenous Beauty: Masterworks of American Indian Art from the Diker Collection." Skira Rizzoli: 2015.
Romero, Mateo. "Painting the Underworld Sky: Cultural Expression and Subversion in Art." School of American Research, Sante Fe, New Mexico: 2005.
Schulman, Sandra Hale. "From Kokopellis to Electric Warriors: The Native American Culture of Music." Random House: 2002.
Smithsonian Institution and Peter MacNair (editor), et. al. "Listening to Our Ancestors: The Art of Native Life Along the Pacific Northwest Coast." National Geographic: 2005.
Williams, Lucy Fowler, William S. Wierzbowski and Robert W. Preucel, ed. "Native American Voices On Identity, Art, And Culture: Objects Of Everlasting Esteem." University of Pennsylvania Museum Publication: 2005.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Engage in a critical analysis of the nature of the arts and the humanities (Western perspective) and Intercultural Studies (non-Western perspective) of the art forms of Native Americans.
  • Compare and contrast fabrication, style, and design motifs of pre- and post-contact American Indian art forms.
  • Consider and evaluate stylist variations of the "schools" of Indian contemporary painting.
  • Assess the content of contemporary American Indian art to establish the Indian artist's intent, message or vision, including focus on struggle and resistance, issues of sovereignty, and Indian identity.
  • Formulate a definition of contemporary "Indian art."
  • Evaluate the impact of colonization on American Indians art forms and the future of American Indian art.
  • Interpret Indian art as a tool for appreciating and understanding Indian cultures' historical changes and responses to colonialization
  • Analyze and predict future directions in the art of contemporary American Indian artists, evaluating the accessibility of these works in art institutions.
  • Assess the social, political and religious content and context of American Indian traditional and contemporary art, in terms of impact on racialization and Indian identity, specifically examining Indian societal gender roles, identifying imagery and socio-cultural celebrations important for reinforcing American Indian cultural concepts.

CSLOs

  • Identify and evaluate the principals, qualities, characteristics, politically-based and identity-based themes found within the arts of Native American and Alaskan Natives.

  • Identify the concepts of tradition and cultural continuity and assess their impact on the sense of aesthetics within Native American/Alaskan Native Arts.

  • Think critically about the effects of race/ethnicity, racialization, ethnocentrism, and colonialism on Native American lived experiences, social struggles, and resistance as they pertain to the impact on demonstration of identity and sovereignty through art.

  • 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 arts and the humanities (Western perspective) and Intercultural Studies (non-Western perspective) of the art forms of Native Americans.
    1. Nature of arts and humanities
      1. As medium through which human experience and values are expressed and viewed
      2. As discipline reflects interests, perspectives, gender and cultural biases
    2. Western and Intercultural study of American Indian art forms
      1. Development of the Western perspective: art awareness, creative expression, aesthetics and form
      2. Development of intercultural studies (non-Western perspective): functionalism, cultural heritage, integration of geographical, socio-political, economic, historic and religious norms
    3. Native-centric focus for the study of art forms of American Indians
      1. Emic vs. etic views of tribal cultures
      2. Diachronic and synchronic views of tribal cultures
      3. "Indian perspectives" of Indian art forms: sacred and secular forms
  2. Compare and contrast fabrication, style, and design motifs of pre- and post-contact American Indian art forms.
    1. Local and traded for resources to produce art forms in pre-contact North America
    2. Learning artistic techniques within tribal contexts
    3. Tribal stylistic and cultural area design motif variations of cultural areas
    4. Traditional and contemporary Indian arts changes as a result of contact with global cultures' resources, stylistic, design, and fabrication techniques
  3. Consider and evaluate stylist variations of the "schools" of Indian contemporary painting.
    1. Ledger Book Art-incarceration of Plains Indian males
    2. Bureau of Indian Affairs' boarding schools "art studios": Carlisle, San Ildefonso and Sante Fe: paternalism and assimilationist practices and influences
    3. Bacone College, Oklahoma-missionary school
    4. Kiowa Five-University of Oklahoma
    5. Institute of American Indian Arts
    6. Indian artistic independence and militant art of the 1960's and 1970's
    7. Renaissance of styles and "new" expressions of the 1980's to the present
  4. Assess the content of contemporary American Indian art to establish the Indian artist's intent, message or vision, including focus on struggle and resistance, issues of sovereignty, and Indian identity.
    1. As expressions of political inequalities
    2. Attempts to dispel or comment on globally-held stereotypes of American Indians
    3. Influence of non-Indian patrons in traditional and contemporary works produced today
    4. American Indian social conditions as reflected in their art works
    5. Contemporary Indian artistic self-expression: a new phenomena
    6. Entering juried Indian shows and selling Indian art forms today
  5. Formulate a definition of contemporary "Indian art."
    1. Contemporary continuity and viability of American Indian cultures and their art forms
    2. Changes over time: beadwork, totem poles, stone pipes, silver-turquoise jewelry, Navajo wool rugs, etc., nonexistent art forms before global cultures introduced tools and raw materials to Indian artists
    3. Indian art using European mediums
    4. Indian art with no "Indian" content
    5. Impact of the "Tourist Market" on Indian art forms
    6. Revival and change of Indian art forms
    7. Assimilation/acculturation
  6. Evaluate the impact of colonization on American Indians art forms and the future of American Indian art.
    1. Changes in mediums and materials
    2. New functions of art forms
    3. Development of new art forms
    4. Loss of art forms and techniques
  7. Interpret Indian art as a tool for appreciating and understanding Indian cultures' historical changes and responses to colonialization
    1. Contemporary Western Art movements and schools
    2. Changing and new subject content
    3. Technological influence and change
    4. Economic pressures and considerations
  8. Analyze and predict future directions in the art of contemporary American Indian artists, evaluating the accessibility of these works in art institutions.
    1. Distinct genre of art expression
    2. Recognition of art forms and artists by general public, "Art World" and for technical excellence
  9. Assess the social, political and religious content and context of American Indian traditional and contemporary art, in terms of impact on racialization and Indian identity, specifically examining Indian societal gender roles, identifying imagery and socio-cultural celebrations important for reinforcing American Indian cultural concepts.
    1. Social and political impact of art on tribal societies
    2. Religious impact of art on tribal societies
    3. Gender roles and image changes
    4. Continuity of traditional art forms
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