ETHNS 351

Native American Culture and the Impact of Federal Policy

This course is an in-depth study comparing Native American traditional cultures and religions in response to the impact of the European invasion. This course includes a review of tribal origins and oral traditions; 'Manifest Destiny'; the impact of treaties; land in trust; and European/Spanish/French culture and religious influences on indigenous people of the Americas. The course also covers disease epidemics; colonization; missionization; religious resistance (The Ghost Dance); attempts at assimilation; the establishment of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; removal policies; reservation policies; boarding schools and the influence of Christianity on Indian children; the Dawes Allotment Act; citizenship; reorganization; termination, relocation and urbanization; social resistance; self determination (includes issues of religious freedom and the use of Peyote); the Indian Civil Rights Act; sacred sites; restoration; and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act; as well as cultural appropriation of indigenous religion. An optional field trip may be included. This course is formerly known as SOCSC 336.

Units: 3.0

Hours: 54 hours LEC