Description:

This ethnographic course will introduce students to the indigenous peoples and First Nations of North, Central and South America, with particular attention being paid to North America. This course will focus on selected First Nations cultures and societies to examine a wide range of topics including arts, oral traditions, religions, and Indian-White relations. 3 hrs. lecture/wk.

Supplies: Refer to the instructor’s course syllabus for details about any supplies that may be required.

Prerequisites: NONE

Textbook(s): For information see - http://bookstore.jccc.net

Course Fees: NONE

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course the student should be able to:

1. Discuss both scientific and traditional Native theories concerning the origins of the First Nations in the Western Hemisphere.
2. Summarize the role the natural environment has played in the development of indigenous cultures in the Americas.
3. Compare and contrast major cultural, social, and linguistic characteristics of the First Nations of the Americas.
4. Analyze the religious traditions and world views of a number of selected First Nations.
5. Discuss the artistic traditions, including visual arts, music, dance, and oral traditions, of selected First Nations.
6. Describe the phases and types of contact between First Nations and Euro-Americans.
7. Discuss the major trends in U.S. Federal Indian policy from the Revolutionary War to the present.
8. Discuss the dynamics of contemporary American Indian life.

Content Outline & Competencies:

I. Introduction to American Indians  
   A. Explain the differences between the terms “Native American” and
“American Indian”
   B. Discuss the historical and legal uses of the terms “Tribe” and
“Nation”
   C. Identify current American Indian demographic statistics

II. North American Indian Culture Areas
   A. Identify and describe the characteristics of North American Indian
Culture Areas
      1. The Northeast Culture Area
      2. The Southeast Culture Area
      3. The Plains Culture Area
      4. The Southwest Culture Area
      5. The Great Basin Culture Area
      6. The Plateau Culture
      7. The California Culture Area
      8. The Northwest Coast Culture Area
      9. The Sub-Arctic Culture Area
      10. The Arctic Culture Area

III. Indian Origins
   A. Identify and discuss Euro-American perspectives
      1. Bering Strait Theory
      2. Creationism
   B. Identify and explain Native perspectives
      1. Turtle Island
      2. Emergences

IV. Pre-Contact and Early Contact Indian Cultures and Societies
   A. Discuss Paleo-Indians
   B. Discuss the Hisatsinom (Anasazi) 
   C. Discuss Mississippian Mound Builders
   D. Discuss the Mayans

V. Indians and Missionaries 
   A. Document and explain the historical relationships between Spanish
missionaries and American Indians in the Southwest
   B. Document and explain the historical relationships between French
missionaries and American Indians in the Northeast
   C. Document and explain the historical relationships between English
missionaries and American Indians in the Northeast and Southeast

VI. Indian Religions and World Views
   A. Summarize the basic tenets of Navajo religion and world view
   B. Summarize the basic tenets of Western Apache religion and world
view
   C. Summarize the basic tenets of Lakota religion and world view
   D. Summarize the basic tenets of the Native American Church

VII. 18th Century Federal U.S. Indian Policies
   A. Trace and discuss the U.S. Constitution 
   B. Trace and discuss the Trade and Intercourse Act

VIII. 19th Century Federal U.S. Indian Policies	
   A. Trace and discuss the Marshall Trilogy
   B. Trace and discuss the Courts of Indian Offences
   C. Trace and discuss the Dawes Act
   D. Trace and discuss Indian boarding schools

IX. 20th Century Federal U.S. Indian Policies
   A. Trace and discuss the Citizenship Act
   B. Trace and discuss Indian New Deal 
   C. Trace and discuss Termination
   D. Trace and discuss Relocation

X. Red Power Movements
   A. Identify and discuss the National Indian Youth Council
   B. Identify and discuss the National Congress of American Indians
   C. Identify and discuss the American Indian Movement

XI. American Indian Artistic Traditions
   A. Identify and discuss various visual arts
   B. Identify and discuss various styles of music
   C. Identify and discuss various styles of dance
   D. Identify and discuss various styles of story-telling

XII. Contemporary American Indian Identity 
   A. Trace and analyze American Indian stereotypes
   B. Analyze the relationship between American Indians and
Anthropologists
   C. Analyze the relationship between American Indians and
Environmentalists

XIII. Contemporary American Indian Economic Development
   A. Trace the development of Indian tourism	
   B. Analyze Indian gaming 

XIV. Contemporary American Indian Health Issues
   A. Discuss diabetes
   B. Discuss substance abuse
   C. Discuss domestic violence
   D. Discuss obesity

XV. American Indian Languages and Communication
   A. Explore and discuss verbal forms of communication
   B. Explore and discuss non-verbal forms of communication

Methods of Evaluation of Competencies:

Evaluation of student mastery of course competencies will be accomplished using the following methods:

15% - Class Participation 			
20% - Exam #1				
20% - Exam #2				
20% - Exam #3 				
25% - Presentation
100% - Total

Caveats:

1. None

Disabilities:

If you are a student with a disability, and if you will be requesting accommodations, it is your responsibility to contact Access Services. Access Services will recommend any appropriate accommodations to your professor and his/her director. The professor and director will identify for you which accommodations will be arranged.

JCCC provides a range of services to allow persons with disabilities to participate in educational programs and activities. If you desire support services, contact the office of Access Services for Students With Disabilities (913) 469-8500, ext. 3521 or TDD (913) 469-3885. The Access Services office is located in the Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center.