Degree Requirements

This course explores critical nation-building issues confronting Indigenous peoples in North America, with a primary focus on Native peoples in the United States. The course will examine multi-dimensional settings that confront Native societies and their social, cultural, political, educational, and economic leaders. The issues to be analyzed include: economic development, politics, culture and identity; and leadership and institution-building. Issues, concepts, and theories examined in the course will provide a basis for examining current Indigenous institutions of self-government; assessing policies of federal, First Nation/tribal, and state/provincial governments; analyzing how to enhance the foundational capacities for effective governance and for strategic attacks on education, economic, and community development problems of Native nations; and augmenting leadership skills, knowledge, and abilities for nation-building. Course participants will link concepts of politics, economics, and culture, with nation-building and leadership through readings, discussions, case studies, short assignments, mid-term exam, and a final exam.

This course introduces student to various approaches and theories involved in American Indian studies. Intended for those minoring in American Indian studies, courses serve as basis for further upper division course work. Provides overview of tribes in U.S. their languages, histories, cultures. Large component focuses on colonialism and U.S. policy toward Native Americans and its affect within Native communities.

This course introduces student to various approaches and theories involved in American Indian studies. Intended for those minoring in American Indian studies, course serves as basis for further upper division course work. Provides overview of current issues affecting tribes in U.S. Large component focuses on contemporary U.S. policy toward Native Americans and its affect within Native communities.

We will review scientific information on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship both among mainstream individuals and groups; and among indigenous (American Indian; Canadian First Nations and Inuit; Maori) individuals and in indigenous communities. Techniques for promoting both personal creativity, and creativity in groups, teams, organizations, and communities will be considered. You will also be exposed to examples of creativity from a variety of cultures, eras, and fields.

An analysis of historical and current issues affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives. Topics may vary and will focus on the exchange of scholarly information and/or secondary research, usually in a small group setting. Topic areas will be discussed within the framework of federal treaties with tribal nations, the federal trust relationship, sovereignty and self-determination, federal Indian policies, jurisdiction and federal tribal recognition, and Indian identity.

A study of events in Dine history in relation to the political, societal and economic context of American history. A review of Dine philosophical and world views, examination of the history and federal Indian policy as applied to the Dine. Interactive in nature.

Survey of images of American Indians in cinema, particularly commercial films. Examines differences between the "western" and the "Indian" film and how imagery affects attitudes and policy-making.

The history of Native American education reveals a struggle for power: Native communities fighting to retain or regain control over the education of their children. This course presents a survey of education, from the perspectives of Native educational theories and practices 'education BY Native peoples' and from the perspective of imposed systems of schooling, education developed FOR Native peoples.

We begin in the early colonial era and survey changes and continuities over time, concluding with current educational research and educational issues in Native America.

Along the way, we consider:

· Community-based systems of Indigenous education;

· Models of so-called 'appropriate education' developed by colonial nations (including the U.S.) for Indian people and children, as well as educational models developed for black Americans and immigrant populations.
For each educational system and model we examine, we will discuss (1) the philosophical background and development of theories and policies (2) educational practices, how theories/policies are implemented, and (3) American Indian experiences within, and responses to, varied educational settings.

Individual or small group research under the guidance of the faculty.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

An analysis of historical and current issues affecting American Indians and Alaska Natives. Topics may vary and will focus on the exchange of scholarly information and/or secondary research, usually in a small group setting. Topic areas will be discussed within the framework of federal treaties with tribal nations, the federal trust relationship, sovereignty and self-determination, and Indian identity.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Globalization is a term often heard and read in academic circles and in national news, but less often understood by the average person. However, because it is the world political, economic, and social system currently in place as the next evolution of capitalism, everyone should have a basic notion of the definition, and what effects it has and will continue to have on the lives of everyone.

Indigenous People of the world are the human population most adversely affected by globalization and the group that has the most experience in sometimes resisting, sometimes adapting, and sometimes creating a syncretism of responses to changing world situations. This course first gives an introduction to the history, politics, and economics of globalization, then moves on to discuss both the benefits and challenges of globalization through the perspectives of global Indigenous peoples.

This class explores a series of topics and themes focused on Native Peoples and urban settings, including migration, urbanization and the creation of cities and urban communities. The class will emphasis: literature; U.S. policy; and theoretical and practical implications.

Indigenous and aboriginal peoples in the Americas developed distinctive economic systems prior to contact with Europe. As the world economic system developed, indigenous peoples attempted to preserve their ways of life as best they could, with some success. This course examines the ontological, epistemological and moral bases of indigenous economic theory with application to contemporary problems.

An introduction to the growing literature on traditional ecological knowledge and its relationships to the ecological and social sciences.

This course will provide students with a comprehensive overview of the development of modern tribal governments, their powers, and the problems they face. Course requires a historical examination of North American indigenous societies from Pre-colonial times to the present. Indigenous groups prior to 1492 will be examined. Emphasis on traditional social and political institutions and practices. Historical development of Indian-Anglo relations, European contact to present, U.S. Indian policy, tribal sovereign powers, political economic and cultural implications toward tribal societies.

This course is a survey of basic issues and concepts in natural resource management and the environment in Native communities using integrated case studies that survey all the major varieties of environmental issues in Indian Country in the 21st century. A central theme will be developing tribally-specific solutions to rebuilding the resiliency of degraded ecosystems. We will consider particular case studies such as: tribal sovereignty, land tenure, reserved rights and Native claims; Native knowledge systems and Western science; co-management and restoration; water; fish and wildlife; agriculture and rangeland management; energy, mining and nuclear waste; and global climate change.

In this class we will learn how research is conducted -- from the generation of a research idea for your own research desires and the needs of your employer to the presentation of research results -- and you will gain practical experience that can be presented on your resume. The employer we will pick will be a Native Nation and its social research needs. For individual needs it will be the construction of a draft research project that you can use to apply for graduate school or a job. Knowing how to conceptualize a research project is very important. Knowing how to undertake the research, evaluate the results and convey them to research communities and employers is very important as well.

Interdisciplinary exploration of new information available on American Indian women, especially materials written by Indian women and investigation of the status, experience, and contributions of American Indian women from pre-contact to contemporary times.

In Mixed Media Stories, we will study novels and short stories that have been transformed into feature films. The selected stories and films are diverse in terms of genre, place of origin, and intended audience. Stories include works by Indigenous writers from the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as several mainstream classic stories about Native people and issues. For each text and film pairing, we will begin by reading the text, then watch the film version for an opportunity to examine how the stories are changed/adapted to fit the audience and medium. We will explore changes in point of view, presentation of Native themes and issues, character development, stereotypes, etc.--and the implications of these changes. Through class discussions, assignments, and papers, students will have opportunities to develop their analytical, writing, and professional skills which may be applied to other areas of literary, film, and American Indian studies.

An introduction to tribal college and universities (TCUs) which includes a discussion of their history, mission, governance, organization, finances, characteristics, support services, roles, responsibilities, evaluation, students, personnel (faculty/staff), challenges and future issues. As a minority serving institution (MSI), the TCUs experience is analyzed and compared to other such institutions as well as mainstream. TCUs are a success story in American Indian education; a grassroots effort by Native communities wanting quality higher education that reflects tribal traditions, values and culture. TCUs are an example of tribal communities practicing self-determination, nation building and sovereignty.

This course will examine the social, cultural, and economic considerations of Native American warfare, including discourse on the nature of human aggression, methods and motives for war. Biological evidence will be discussed.

This course will examine the anthropology and history of gaming in American Indian tribes and cultures. It will examine the legal framework of Indian gaming, including the history of federal Indian law as it relates to gaming, tribal jurisdiction over Indian land, compacting, legal struggles between the tribes and the states, and the history and development of the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act. The class will also examine the sociological impact of gaming on tribal communities and the effect of gaming revenues on neighboring communities. The student will develop skills in an analytical approach to discussion and writing, through lectures and group analysis of pertinent court cases and legislation, pertinent films and guest speakers, possible field trips, and readings as they pertain to the subject for the week.

Examines the positive (curing, harmony with the natural world, etc.) aspects of Indian religions. Indian medicine men may participate in the course at various junctures.

Individual or small group research under the guidance of faculty.

Specialized work on an individual basis, consisting of training and practice in actual service in a technical, business, or governmental establishment.

The exchange of scholarly information on important disciplinary topics, usually in a small group seminar setting with occasional lectures. The course content, as taught in any one semester, depends on student need and interest, and on the research/teaching interests of the participating faculty member. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of results through discussion, reports, reviews, and/or papers.

An honors thesis is required of all the students graduating with honors. Students ordinarily sign up for this course as a two-semester sequence. The first semester the student performs research under the supervision of a faculty member; the second semester the student writes an honors thesis.

This course will explore, for curriculum development purposes, critical educational issues confronting Indigenous peoples, with a primary focus on Native Americans in the United States. Attention will also be given to the educational experiences of Aboriginal peoples of Canada. The course will provide an overview of Indigenous education (formal and informal) from both contemporary and historical contexts. The course will analyze Indigenous educational philosophies; history of Native education; contemporary educational, cultural, identity, institutional, and leadership challenges facing Native peoples; and ideas of place, community, and culture in education for and about Native peoples. Issues, concepts, and theories examined in the course will provide a basis for developing curriculum; assessing educational policy; augmenting teaching strategies; and examining learning practices in elementary, secondary, and higher educational institutions. Course participants will link concepts of Indigenous ways of knowing and teaching, and context and culture through readings, discussions, short assignments, and a final paper or project.

Educational philosophies, policies, and practices of native people, European missions, and federal schools. Historic overview of Indian education to early 1900s.

Contemporary American Indian/Alaskan native education in two parts: (1) the current state of native education and its effectiveness in meeting the needs of native students; (2) current research in the area of American Indian/Alaskan native education and its implications for future research.

The practical application of theoretical and student-centered learning within various classroom settings. The class involves an exchange of ideas about theory, goals, values, and ethical concerns for teaching courses concentrating on American Indians and provide training in practical methods, teaching strategies, and action-learning skills in a lecture and seminar format. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers. Students will begin to accumulate materials for a teaching portfolio.

Investigates native inhabitants of the US Southwest from its initial colonization over 11,000 years ago to the arrival of Europeans in AD 1540. Surveys past societies of the Southwest, including where they lived, their lifeways, and their material culture.

Explores societies and cultures of Native peoples of the US Southwest and Northern Mexico from European contact to present. Examines impact of Spain, Mexico, and the United States on these Native peoples. Discusses major contemporary issues facing Native peoples in the area.

Culture, history and economic, social, and religious institutions of the living people of the Southwest.

The course encompasses the greater Southwest, including northern Mexico from pre-Columbian times to the present. Evidence from archaeology, ethnology, linguistics, and biological anthropology is integrated. Emphasis is placed on the interaction of Indian, Hispanic, and Euroamerican peoples and their adaptation to and exploitation of the natural environment through time.

Origin and distribution of native populations of North America; historical development and interrelations of cultures.

Historical and cultural background, and contemporary economic, political and social organization of indigenous and non-indigenous groups in rural Mexico. Primarily concerned with the people of the countryside, and the Mexican revolution.

Works by and/or about American Indian writers.

A study of oral tradition, with an emphasis on American Indian myth, legend and lore.

We will study texts representative of the region we now call the American Southwest and concern ourselves with the following questions: What cultural and literary traditions did their makers work within? How did they transcend those traditions? What is the relationship between physical landscapes and imagined cultural geographies in these narratives? How is the "Southwest" represented as a region in each?

Forms of verbal and non-verbal folklore and material culture.

Explores the place and status of Tribal Governments in our federal system, focusing in particular on federal policy decisions underlying various laws and statutes. The course examines ways to interpret and apply the relevant laws and explores the impact that would be result from changing the policy behind those laws.

Continuation of vocabulary development, oral skills enhancement and mastery of Diné Bizaad (Navajo language) verb paradigms. Native speakers undertake original research and writing in Diné Bizaad.

Continuation of vocabulary development, oral skills enhancement and mastery of Diné Bizaad (Navajo language) verb paradigms. Native speakers undertake original research and writing in Diné Bizaad.

This course surveys American Indian languages and the communities that speak them, focusing on a representative sample for closer study. The role of language in maintaining cultural identity is examined, and prospects for the future of American Indian languages are assessed.

Introduction to descriptive linguistics for Native Americans; practical linguistic and social issues in Native American languages; phonetics and phonology; orthography; dialects and language change; classroom applications.

In-depth linguistic analysis of selected phonological, syntactic, and semantic problems in a non-Western language, concentrating on native languages of the Southwest area.

Traditional Indian Medicine, or TIM, is a concept that refers to Indigenous knowledges expressed through the varied healing systems in Indigenous communities. This course will pay particular attention to American Indian nations and healing knowledges that are intersecting and intertwined relationships with the natural world, the Indigenous body and the sacred. We will examine both how Indigenous healing systems have persisted as well as responded to social conditions, such as genocide, colonization and historical, as well as contemporary, forms of oppression. Topics include intergenerational trauma as well as how resilience is expressed in practices of wellbeing, healing and self-determination. We will also explore TIM as containing systems of healing that may/may not operate in conjunction with allopathic medicine. This course takes a transdisciplinary approach, incorporating readings from American Indian/Indigenous studies and health to explore a complex portfolio of American Indian/Indigenous wellbeing.

This interdisciplinary course is a survey of various popular and Indigenous medicinal systems that fall under the rubric known as Mexican Traditional Medicine (MTM). Mexican scholar Carlos Viesca Treviño defines MTM as medicinal knowledge(s) that emanate from Mesoamerican world views and that have adapted to historical and social conditions in the Americas. This course will explore various expressions of MTM, with a special emphasis on Indigenous medicinal approaches to healing that exemplify both continuities and adaptations. We will compare across cultures some shared values in various Indigenous systems as well as how they are uniquely expressed in contemporary settings. We will also draw from the local knowledge holders of Indigenous populations from this region to compare various approaches in traditional medicine. This course will introduce students to the relationship between place, healing and cosmology in Indigenous-based cultures that maintain curing traditions and practices. We will explore the theories and philosophies that are used in MTM as well as applied knowledge and practices that are useful for self care and community wellness.

This course offers a broad introduction to the diversity and complexity of American Indian religious traditions historically and in the contemporary. Students will explore general themes in the study of American Indian religions and spirituality along with analyzing specific examples. Of particular importance are the history and effects of colonialism and missionization on Native people, continuing struggles for religious freedom and cultural survival, and historical and contemporary religious responses to social, cultural, political, and geographical changes.

This course introduces students to health issues facing Indigenous populations. The course itself is divided into four units. Unit 1 is a general review of the definition, conceptualization, and everyday experience of Indigeneity. It provides an overview of colonization with an emphasis on its ongoing impact on health care and health research with Indigenous populations. Unit 2 discusses what health might mean from an Indigenous perspective. Unit 3 presents ethical considerations that may be especially important when working with Indigenous populations. Finally, Unit 4 offers a hopeful look toward the future of Indigenous health as Indigenous people continue to move forward in claiming their health and empowering their communities. For your final paper you will conduct a content analysis (this is your original Sociological research!) of media clippings from two recent Indigenous-led efforts that can have a positive impact on Indigenous health, broadly defined.

This course looks at environment and human relationships on the North American continent with an emphasis on Native nations and indigenous perspectives. Major topics include sacred spaces, colonialism, politics and law, race and power, cultural landscapes, governance and self-determination.

This course provides an introduction to the tribal colleges, which includes a discussion of their history, mission, governance, organization, finance, curriculum, and current challenges. It also includes student characteristics and support services, faculty characteristics, support services, roles, responsibilities and evaluation, and an introduction to assessment of learning in the tribal college.

The scope of higher education in the United States; brief survey of historical developments and philosophic bases, public policy issues at the state and federal level; types of institutions and their purposes; characteristics of faculty, students and curricula.

History and characteristics of the college student; interactions with campus environmental influences; developmental and normative trends; major research findings.

Organizational theory, structures, systems, and administrative procedures in varied higher education institutions; patterns of governance and policy development.

Student personnel services, philosophy, history, administrative procedures, representative programs, current trends.

Development of higher education for American Indians/Alaskan natives from the earliest efforts to contemporary times. Issues and their implications for the education of American Indians in institutions and agencies of higher education. Emphasis on tribally controlled colleges and universities, and the development of American Indian studies programs in higher education institutions.

The development and exchange of scholarly information, usually in a small group setting. The scope of work shall consist of research by course registrants, with the exchange of the results of such research through discussion, reports, and/or papers.

This service-learning course emphasizes current issues in K-12th grade and college education with a focus on Indigenous (Native American) students. Students spend approximately 3 hours per week providing in-person and/or virtual mentoring to middle and high school students in Tucson and throughout the Southwest.

This course explores the development, strategies, and political impact of indigenous peoples' movements in the Latin American region. It focuses on structural factors to explain how and why indigenous communities organize politically, and the ways in which indigenous movements have shaped democratization and development from the mid-20th century until the present. The course will include cases from across the Latin American region with particular emphasis on those regions with the highest concentration of indigenous populations in Mesoamerica (Mexico and Guatemala) and the Andes (Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador). Specific topics include the construction and politicization of ethnic identity; colonization and the historical roots of racism and inequality; nationalism and mestizaje; democratization and its impact on indigenous movements; indigenous women's movements; indigenous resistance to neoliberalism and globalization; indigenous political parties; patterns of electoral participation; and the multinational state.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.

Qualified students working on an individual basis with professors who have agreed to supervise such work.