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Class
Schedule Instructors
Grading
What's an MRP? What's a CIP?
Bored?
INTRODUCTION TO AMERICAN
INDIAN HISTORY & CULTURES
HIS/SOC/REL 260A Spring 2007

Course Description: This seminar presents an interdisciplinary overview of the social and cultural history
of native peoples of North America, with an emphasis on Southeast, Southwest, and Plains
Culture Areas. The direction of the course will be determined by student interest in
authentic Native American objects and images provided by the instructors. With these as a
focus, students will be introduced to such topics as original migrations into North
America, impact of European contact, demographics, evolution of stereotypes, religions,
societal structures, indigenous arts, traditional lifeways, and current political and
social issues.
Goals: Students taking this course should:
w experience something of Native American cultural life by attending a
powwow
w encounter a variety of first-person Native American accounts of their
histories and
cultures
w learn to view
American history through a Native American perspective
Students completing this course should be able to demonstrate:
w a vocabulary for discussing the cultures and histories of Native Americans
w knowledge of the histories and cultures of Native Americans in the
Southeast, Southwest, and Plains areas
w knowledge of contemporary issues related to Native Americans
w knowledge of general subjects related to Native Americans (religions, land,
art,
federal policies, education)
w knowledge of Native American resources and organizations
Faculty:
Susan McClintock (x8382)
Library 109; office hours
TBA, or by appt.)
McClinto@meredith.edu
John Kincheloe (x8457)
Library 119; office hours
TBA or by appt.)
kincheloej@meredith.edu
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Classroom:
Projection Room (Room 20) ground floor of Library
Texts:
Americas Fascinating Indian Heritage.
Pleasantville, NY: RD Association, 1978.
Articles in Reserve notebook
Perdue, Theda. Native Carolinians: the
Indians of North Carolina. Raleigh, NC:
Dept. of Cultural Resources, 1988.
Hillerman, Tony. Skinwalkers. New York, NY: Harper, 1986.
Neihardt, John, Black Elk Speaks. Lincoln, NE:University of Nebraska Press,1989
Your research projects (MRPs & Contemporary Issues) notebook
Basic Grading Policies:
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Regular attendance 3 unexcused absences will result in reduction of
grade
by one letter grade; 4 or more unexcused absences will result in reduction of
grade by
two letter grades. Yikes! (See below for snow policy)
9% Regular class preparation and participation
50% 4 tests & final (10% each)
20% 3 individual mini-research projects (MRPs) & 1
group project (5% each; see
attached
description)
10% Contemporary Issues research project (see attached
description)
6% 3 film response sheets
5% attendance of 1 powwow & response sheet (schedule of
powwows will
be provided)
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Grading Scale:
A 100-94
B 93-87
C 86-80
D 79-73
F 72-0
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Classroom Participation and Etiquette: Students are expected not only to attend
class, but to arrive on-time ready to participate actively in classroom discussions. Such
participation requires contributing to discussions and keeping up-to-date with the
assigned readings. It also requires having MRP and Contemporary Issue papers completed and
ready when they are
due.
Phones and laptop use:
All phones and pagers must be turned off before entering class. Class time should
be uninterrupted by the distraction of external calls or pages. Respect the instructors
and your fellow students by giving them your full attention.
Laptops may be used for presentation purposes only.
Participation Criteria:
Because this is a seminar, your participation is important for all of us. The
following guidelines
outline how your participation will be evaluated.
Active Participation:
A (10%)
-Is very well-prepared for class
- Demonstrates individual
initiative beyond the fulfillment of class
requirements
- Contributes in a
significant way to class discussions
- Positive attitude
B (8%)
-Is prepared for class
- Shows initiative
- Contributes willingly to
class discussions
- Has a generally positive
attitude
Passive Participation:
C (6%)
-Is usually prepared for class
- Pays attention, but
responds mostly when called upon
- Answers accurately, but
only rarely takes initiative
- Seems somewhat unconcerned
or detached
Poor or No Participation:
D (4%)
-Is not always prepared
- Participation
rarely or only when call upon by the instructor(s)
- Puts little effort and/or
attention into group work
- Arrives late or leaves
early
- Displays a negative
attitude.
F (2%)
-Often comes unprepared
- Makes no effort to
participate in class discussions
- Performs poorly when
called upon
- Arrives late and/or leaves
class early
- Displays a consistently
negative attitude
Trail
of Tears, Jerome Tiger (Cherokee)
Inclement Weather policy:
Check the inclement weather number (832-8878). f the college is open, we all will make every safe attempt to get
here. You are responsible for any material you miss if you are unable to attend
class. If
classes are canceled, you are expected to keep up with the readings and assignments. The
class will continue according to the syllabus.
Meredith College Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Meredith College
Honor Code. The Code is applicable to all aspects of your work in the course, including
test taking and papers. To avoid incidences of plagiarism, be particularly careful in
quoting and citing sources. We think it is great that
Meredith College has this Honor Code:
We, the Meredith community, are committed to developing
and affirming in each student a sense of personal honor and responsibility. Uncompromising
honest and forthrightness are essential elements of the commitment. The Honor System is a
method by which individual honors are protected and maintained. Any dishonorable action
will be regarded as a violation of this commitment and corrective action will be taken. If
I am in violation of the Honor Code, to prevent jeopardizing the Honor System or weakening
our system of self-government, I have an obligation to report myself to the proper
authorities. If I am aware of a violation of the Honor System by another student, I shall
call this matter to the attention of that student as a violation of responsibility to the
community. In choosing Meredith College, I am accepting the Honor System as a way of life.
As a Meredith student, I am responsible for insuring that the Honor System is at
all times carried out.
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Research papers:
There will be a total of
4 individual & 1 group research papers. The individual papers
papers are referred to as Mini-Research Papers (MRPs). The other paper is part of a
team project, the Contemporary Issues Project.
MRPs: The purpose of these mini-research papers (MRPs) is to allow each
student or group of students to investigate, in a little more depth, some object, image,
event, or person related to particular culture areas or historical period being studied.
w Each MRP will:
- be 2-3 typed pages
- include a suggested bibliography of important
resources used and/or consulted on the subject
- adequately describe the object, image, etc. and
relate it to other aspects of that area or tribes culture and history
- accurately and without bias present information
w Students should use sources
found on reserve and in reference for MRPs. Any use of Internet sites must be
approved by one of the Instructors prior to inclusion in the paper.
w Each student will supply
enough copies of the paper and bibliography for every student and the instructors at
the first session for that particular subject or culture area.
w You will lead the class
discussion on your topic. Be sure to relate the topic to our assigned readings and
other topics that are being discussed. Dont just read the paper explain the
topic and engage the class in discussion.
w As you will be responsible
for all material included in these papers, it is suggested that you keep a notebook for
them.
w Your grade will be based on
the content of the paper and your discussion of the topic.
IMPORTANT: Due dates for each of these papers are as follows:
Jan. 18 (Tues.)
Moundbuilders, SW Prehistory, or Contacts (individual)
Feb. 8 (Thurs.) NC & Southeast (individual)
Feb. 27 (Tues.) Southwest (individual)
Apr. 3 (Tues.) Plains (individual)
Apr. 19 (Thurs.)
Contemporary Issues (group)
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Contemporary Issues Project (CIP):
This is a team project. The project has two
parts: a written component (3-5 typed pages) and a 20 minute presentation. Each part will
count as 50% of the grade.
w
Grading of the written component
will be based on:
- adequate treatment of the subject.
Each paper should define the issue, include a brief
account of its larger historical context, present all sides fairly and without
bias, and take
an informed stand on the issue
-
accuracy of information
-
quality of bibliography
w
Grading of the class presentation will be based on:
- same criteria as written
component
- originality and
style of presentation
- visual component
such as maps, statistics, objects, pictures, etc.
w
Students may use sources found on
reserve and in reference. Students are expected,
however, also to use resources found through use of on-line databases. Any use
of Internet
sites must be approved by one of the Instructors prior to
inclusion in the paper (not all sites
are created equal)
w
Final papers should include names of
each group member, the responsibilities each
member had in the project, and a project evaluation from each group member.
w
All
Contemporary Issues Papers are due April 19, so plan ahead!
rev 1/6/05
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Schedule of Classes & Assignments
Spring 2007
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| DATE |
TOPIC |
READINGS |
DUE |
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| Jan.
11 |
Introduction, Stereotypes
Identity |
Reserve
notebook:
Identity |
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| Jan.
16 |
Origins
Early Indian timeline |
NC: Chapter 1;
IH Chapter 1, pp.11-34; Reserve notebook: your
Origins Topic readings |
Origins
summaries |
| Jan.
18 |
First Encounters:
Moundbuilders |
IH: Chapter 1, pp. 34-41 & Chapter 2,
pp. 68-79 |
MRP mound
papers and discussion |
| Jan. 23 |
First Encounters: Southwest Prehistory & the Legacy of
Kokopelli |
IH: Chapter 2, pp. 54-67 |
Ancient SW, & Contacts and discussion |
| Jan. 25 |
At
Contact -- who was here, where were they?
Demographics and diversity. |
Reserve
notebook: demographics |
MRP discussions |
|
Jan. 30 |
Virginia & North Carolina First
Contacts |
NC: Chapter 2 |
MRP discussions |
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Feb. 1 |
Test 1 |
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| Feb.
6 |
Native American Spirituality &
Indian
Religions |
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| Feb.
8 |
Missing Persons NC tribes |
NC: Chapters 5 ;
Reserve notebook: NC Indians articles |
MRP -- papers &
SE discussions |
| Feb.
13 |
Southeast Culture Area |
IH: Chapter 3, pp. 81-109; NC: Chapters
3 & 4 |
MRP discussions;
Response sheet: Native
AmericansSoutheast |
| Feb. 15 |
Southeast Culture Area |
|
MRP discussions |
| Feb.
20 |
Southeast
Culture Area |
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| Feb.
22 |
Test 2
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Feb. 27 |
Southwest
Culture Area --
Navajo (Diné) |
IH: Chapter 6, pp. 233-249 |
MRP --
SW papers, Navajo & Pueblo
discussions |
| Mar. 1 |
Southwest Culture Area – Navajo Film: Kinaalda |
|
Response
sheets on Kinaalda due at end of class |
| Mar.
6 |
SPRING BREAK !! |
Dont forget Skinwalkers
to be read by March 13 |
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Mar. 8 |
SPRING BREAK !! |
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Mar. 13 |
Southwest
Culture Area --
Navajo (Diné) |
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MRP discussions,
Skinwalkers discussion |
| Mar.
15 |
Southwest Culture Area
Pueblo |
IH: Chapter 6, pp. 205 231 |
MRP discussions |
| Mar.
20 |
Southwest Culture Area
Pueblo |
|
MRP discussions
(anticipate Plains MRP choices) |
|
Mar. 22 |
Southwest Culture Area
Pueblo |
|
MRP discussions |
| Mar. 27 |
American Indian Art &
Research Techniques
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Black
Elk Speaks is coming up... |
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| Mar.
29 |
Test 3
(note date change) |
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Apr. 3 |
Plains Culture
Area |
IH: Chapter 5, pp. 155 - 203
Black Elk Speaks & relate to your MRP! |
MRP discussions |
| Apr. 5 |
Plains Culture
Area |
Black
Elk Speaks;
Easter
break begins at end of classes today |
MRP discussions |
| Apr. 10 |
Plains Culture
Area |
Black Elk Speaks |
MRP discussions |
| Apr. 12 |
Plains Culture
Area &
Indian
Education |
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| Apr. 17 |
Test 4
(Plains, Art, & Education) |
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CIP-
all papers due;
discussions begin |
| Apr.
19 |
Contemporary Issues |
|
CIP
discussions |
| Apr. 24 |
Contemporary Issues |
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CIP
discussions |
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Apr. 26 |
No class
today:
Campus Day of Celebration |
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May 1 |
Contemporary Issues |
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CIP
discussions |
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May 2 |
Reading
Day |
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all response sheets for powwow
attendance due by 5:00 pm |
| May
7 |
Exam period 1:00 p.m.
Film:
PowWow Highway |
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Class
discussion following film |

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rev. 12/22/2004 |