HUM 1031 - Introduction to Indigenous Studies: the Americas

Credits: 3
Hours/Week: Lecture 3
Course Description: This interdisciplinary course introduces a wide range of topics related to indigenous peoples and cultures in the Americas. Students will explore representations and misrepresentations of indigenous identities in visual and performance art, story-telling, and mass media. The class will examine how the identities, cultures, and lives of indigenous peoples have been influenced by colonization, legal issues, and environmental challenges.
MnTC Goals
6 Humanities and Fine Arts, 8 Global Perspective

Major Content

1. Misrepresentation and Stereotyping of Indigenous Cultures and Identities within
   1. Mass media (especially film and television)
   2. Popular culture (such as games, children’s books, costumes)
   3. Sports mascots
   4. Representations of the past (museums and ancient cultures)
   5. Language (co-opted phrases, slurs, etc.)
2. Indigenous Identity - expressions of self, cultures, histories through art and storytelling
   1. Oral story-telling, literary works, and indigenous-made films
   2. Native language preservation and publishing
   3. Textile Arts -Pottery and Jewelry
   4. Healing Plants, Herbs, and Food
   5. Performance, dance, music, song
3. Legal Issues: Governments and Laws Effecting Indigenous Communities in the Americas
   1. State/federal laws and tribal laws
   2. Treaties and Tribal Sovereignty
   3. Voting rights-Land rights
   4. Child welfare and education
   5. Policing and jurisdiction
   6. Relocation of indigenous communities
4. Environmental Issues: Climate, Land, and Water Issues Effecting Indigenous Communities in the Americas
   1. Oil
   2. Water
   3. Fire
   4. Pollution
   5. Global Tourism
   6. Economic and Resource exploitation
   7. Climate Change
   8. Conceptions of people’s relationship to Earth

1. Analyze performance and visual art, storytelling, and other creative expressions in indigenous communities in the Americas.
2. Deconstruct what it means to have an indigenous identity in the Americas today.
3. Explain the consequences of colonization on indigenous cultures.
4. Compare and contrast the various ways in which indigenous identities and cultures in the Americas have been represented and misrepresented.
5. Identify how indigenous communities in the Americas are affected by specific legal and environmental problems post-colonization, and how cultural, economic, and political challenges affect their solution.
6. Describe the relationships of indigenous people in the Americas to their environments as they are shaped by historical, political, and socio-economic forces.

06. 02. Understand those works as expressions of individual and human values within a

historical and social context.

06. 03. Respond critically to works in the arts and humanities.

06. 05. Articulate an informed personal reaction to works in the arts and humanities.
Competency 2 (7-10)
08. 01. Describe and analyze political, economic, and cultural elements which influence

relations of states and societies in their historical and contemporary dimensions.

08. 02. Demonstrate knowledge of cultural, social, religious and linguistic differences.

08. 03. Analyze specific international problems, illustrating the cultural, economic, and

political differences that affect their solution.

Courses and Registration