AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES
College of Ethnic Studies
(See American Indian Studies in the Academic Programs section for information on the minor)
Undergraduate Courses
110 Critical Thinking and the American Indian Experience (3) [GE]
Developing basic skills involved in understanding, criticizing, and constructing arguments by using materials reflective of experiences of American Indians and the Third World culture in the United States. (Also offered as AAS 110, BL S 110, ETHS 110, LARA 110.)
150 American Indian History in the United States (3) [GE]
F
A general overview of the major indigenous cultures residing in the present U.S.; regional groups, structures, world views; examine major events that took place between the first Americans and new Americans from contact up to 1930.
162 American Indian Oral Literature (3) [GE]
S
Examination of traditional Indian literatures including legend, origin stories, pre-contact poetry, oratory, and stories of the people. Analysis of forms, styles, images, and themes used by selected tribes to express the experience of their daily lives.
205 American Indians and U.S. Laws (3) [US,CA]
To study the legal history that has developed between the earliest settlers and the existing peoples of the American continent. To introduce the legal and social concepts that the settling communities had toward Indian Nations. (See U.S. History and Government Requirement which includes California State and Local Government Requirement.)
214 Second Year Written Composition: American Indian Studies (3) [GE]
Prerequisite: ENG 114 or equivalent. The purpose of this course is to develop student ability to write logically developed compositions that state and support one central theme with focus on effective content, organization, sentence structure, paragraph and essay development. Special attention is given to the writing problems of bilingual students. Must be taken after the student has completed 24 units and before completing 60 units. ABC/NC grading.
220 American Indian Music (3) [GE]
History of musical styles, musical instruments, tribal dance styles—social and ritual—of North American Indian cultures; adaptation of traditional social music and dance to modern "Pow-Wow" setting. Students learn selected "Pow-Wow" songs and dances.
225 American Indian Art (3) [GE]
Survey of ancient art forms, styles, and media viewed from Indian perspective as integral part of American Indian cultures rather than separate isolated form of expression. Also covers emergence of "cottage industries" among tribes in North America in early 1900's.
230 American Indian Lifestyles (3) [GE]
Introduction to American Indian lifestyles, and their comparison and contrast with foreign ones such as western European.
235 American Indians: Image and Issues in the Mass Media (3) [GE]
Examination of recurring images and treatment of American Indians, especially in film, television, advertising, popular literature, and commercial arts, based on screenings emphasizing analysis, aesthetics, criticism, and the cultural, economic, social, and political forces that influence image and artistic expression.
310 American Indian Religion and Philosophy (3) [GE]
Religious and philosophical aspects of the life styles of certain plains tribes that existed in what is now called the United States. These aspects are discussed in their own context as well as compared with modern society. Emphasis on ancient religion, visions, and deity structures and how they have survived and have been modified by the impact of European cultures.
360 Modern American Indian Authors (3)
F,S
Narrative, oratory, poetry, short stories, and contemporary novels recorded and written by Indians from mid 1850's through contemporary times. Exploration into changing literary forms, methods of recordings, celebrating and reaffirming nineteenth and twentieth century Indian life. Includes such authors as N. Scott Momaday, D'arcy McNickle, Somin Ortiz, James Welch, Leslie Silko, etc.
400 American Indian Education (3)
Content, curriculum, and structure of education in reservation and off-reservation schools. The problems, goals, innovative restructuring, proposals for future. Education as a conscious instrument for both subjugation and for change.
410 Perspectives of Native California Indians (3) [GE]
Prerequisite: upper division standing or consent of instructor. Cultural and historical perspective of California Indians. Intensive survey of the contemporary problems, issues, and developments involving American Indians, both urban and rural, in California.
420 American Indian Women (3) [GE]
An analysis of social systems of American Indian cultures and the role of women in these societies. Focus on the democratic consensual social structures in particular as equality was a primary feature in all known American Indian societies. Comparison with Euro-American structures.
450 American Indian Science (3)
F,S
An investigation of American Indian sciences, theory and practice, traditional herbology, agricultural and environmental sciences, methods of food production, preservation, and preparation. Indian architectural modes and thermal clothing used by tribes from six regions of North America.
460 Power and Politics in American Indian History (3) [US]
Explores modern political and social issues arising from U.S.-American Indian relations in the past as they confront American Indian communities at present. Includes land, water, civil, and tribal rights with the underlying historical and attitudinal differences behind these problems. (See U.S. History and Government Requirement.)
500 Language and Cultural Systems of North American Indians (3)
The relation of language to a culture, an understanding of the interplay of language and cultures in language learning, language logic as among the Hopi, Wintu, Navajo, and Sioux.
530 American Indian Psychology (3)
F,S
The nature of American Indian psychological character(s) and methods for assessing psychological stress among American Indians. Includes survey of traditional and contemporary methods of psychological service and practice in the American Indian communities.
560 Modern Creative and Performing Arts (3)
Individual and group performance with emphasis on use of creative and performing arts in American Indian communities. Fine art, oral poetry, dramatic modes and media. Adaptation of traditional modes to modern situations.
699 Special Study (1-3)
F,S
Supervised, individual study of a particular problem in American Indian Studies. Student may select his/her supervisor and must state the problem, his/her method of data gathering, and his/her method of data analysis.