IS 121: Introduction to Indian Studies, (3 credits) Dr. Birgit Hans, Dr. Gregory Gagnon, Dr. Sebastian Braun (one class section each)

This course provides students with an overview of Native North American cultures and societies, as well as with the historical background to understand issues that contemporary Native societies are facing. The class looks at cultures, culture change, and culture contact, and the course gives students a framework with which they can approach and understand cultural difference and similarities, as well as historical and contemporary culture change. The class also investigates the methods of investigating cultures and history, and the problems with these approaches. This course discusses both historical and contemporary issues facing Native communities.

This is an introductory course; such courses have to cover a broad field in a short amount of time, and therefore require quite a bit of reading. This is, at least in part, a reading intensive course.

A study of the development of Chippewa (Anishinabe, Ojibwe) society from its origins to the present. Topics include origin traditions, development of cultural distinctiveness, relations with other tribes and with French, English, and Americans, treaties, and current political, cultural, and economic status.

IS 346: American Indian Women, (3 credits) Dr. Birgit Hans

IS 379: Human Rights and Human Wrongs. (Post)colonial Africa and North America, (3 credits) Dr. Sebastian Braun and Dr. Ann Reed

This team-taught class will investigate and compare the colonial, postcolonial or neocolonial situation of societies in Africa and North America.

IS 410 Identity in Native North America, (3 credits) Dr. Sebastian Braun

Before we can talk about any society or culture, we need to know who the people are, how they differentiate themselves from others, and how their neighbors differentiate themselves from that group. In North America, for many reasons, the methods and structures of group identifications changed fundamentally with the arrival of Europeans. Responses to colonialism and oppression, other minority groups, outside definitions, a shift from cultural to biological criteria, as well as welfare programs and economic opportunities have since shaped the identities of indigenous peoples in North America. "Who is an American Indian?" and "What does this classification mean?" are therefore two of the main questions in need of an answer before any other question in Indian Studies can be tackled. This course attempts to lead students to some answers and also gives an overview of identity formation processes in general. This knowledge forms the basis for an informed approach not only to Indian Studies, but to cultures and societies, i.e., social sciences, in general.

IS 420: History of Federal Indian Law and Policy, (3 credits) Dr. Gregory Gagnon

Knowing the foundations of American Indian law and policy is necessary for understanding contemporary Indian relationships within the United States. This course analyzes the policies of the United States toward American Indians and their governments since 1781. Students will learn the key components of imperialism, colonialism, Self-government, Termination and Self-Determination policies. Students will learn the meaning of the Marshall decisions, treaties and key federal court decisions that shape American Indian law and the cultural-political philosophies that guided them. Emphasis will be on the impact of federal Indian law on Indians and their governments.