MCCCD Program Description

Introduction to American Indian Studies

Course: AIS105

First Term: 2013 Summer I

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: Introduction to political, economic, and social structures of American Indian Nations. Provides overview of American Indian tribal cultures prior to contact, the impact of European contact, and the influence of western social systems on tribal nations.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify and explain the significant issues related to the question of "Who is an American Indian?". (I) 2. Describe tribes as sovereign nations prior to contact and review and critique western documentation as it describes American Indian nations prior to contact. (II-III) 3. Review the political, economic, and social structures of selected American Indian nations as they existed prior to contact. (III) 4. Describe the impact of early European contact on American Indian nations. (IV) 5. Examine the roles and impact of major western social institutions on American Indian nations during the processes of colonization and domination. (V) 6. Identify and describe the major historical eras in American Indian policy and examine the impact of these policies on Indian nations. (VI) 7. Trace the erosion of American Indian tribal sovereignty throughout the policy eras. (VII) 8. Examine the processes of European and American colonization, domination, and exploitation of American Indian cultures and lifeways since colonization. (I-VII) 9. Trace the historical erosion of traditional American Indian cultures and lifeways since colonization. (I-VII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Who is an "American Indian"? A. Definitions 1. Issues of Identity 2. Critique of Western Terminology B. Blood Quantum Requirements 1. Federal 2. Tribal 3. Issues II. American Indian Nations Prior to Contact A. Tribes as Sovereign Nations B. Demographics 1. Population Estimates Before Contact 2. Population Estimates After Contact C. Significance of Oral Traditions D. Review and Critique of Western Documentation 1. Prehistory 2. Traditional Lifeways 3. Culture 4. Spirituality III. Prehistory of Tribes Prior to Contact A. Social Structures 1. Political 2. Economic 3. Social B. Tribal Cultures and Lifeways IV. Early European Contact: Over view of Early Impact on Tribes A. Economic 1. Spanish Quest for Gold 2. Impact on Fur Trade 3. Enslavement B. Social 1. Population Decline 2. Early Resistance C. Early Missionary Contact V. Colonization/Domination: The Implementation of Western Social Institutions A. Religion 1. Conversion to Christianity 2. Missionary Schools 3. Loss of Traditional Spiritual Ways B. Economic System 1. Capitalism 2. Loss of Traditional Ways C. Educational System 1. Boarding Schools 2. Breakdown of Traditional Lifeways D. Science 1. Scientific Knowledge vs. Indigenous World Views and Knowledge 2. Early Studies in Craniology VI. Role of Western Law in Colonization/Domination: Historical Eras in American Indian Policy A. Discovery, Conquest, and Treaty-Making 1. Major Tenets 2. Impact on Tribes B. Removal and Relocation 1. Major Tenets 2. Impact on Tribes C. Allotment and Assimilation 1. Major Tenets 2. Impact on Tribes D. Reorganization and Self-Government 1. Major Tenets 2. Impact on Tribes E. Termination 1. Major Tenets 2. Impact on Tribes F. Self-Determination 1. Major Tenets 2. Impact on Tribes VII. Tribal Sovereignty A. Erosion of Sovereignty Throughout the Policy Eras B. Tribal Governments Today

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 26, 2013

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.