History 70 Hum C and MIR
Fall 2001
The meaning of history lies in the telling.
anon.
So, while the white people had much to teach us, we had much to teach them, and what a school could have been established upon that idea!
Luther Standing Bear
This course is a survey of Native Americans of North America. As such, we will be looking at
patterns and developments over 400 years of history from representative cultural groups of the
more than 500 indigenous peoples of North America. The course will emphasize history,
politics and understanding contemporary issues in historical context. Land and identity will be
recurring themes as we seek an understanding of changing cultural patterns, and the ways in
which past decisions have informed and shaped the present. Because of Earlham's recent liaison
with the Miami Nation, we will be able to examine in more detail a current land claim and the
ongoing work of recovering the Miami language. Readings and class work establish a common
core of information, and then students, in groups and individually, will research
areas of particular interest to share with the class.
Texts
Vine Deloria, Nations Within
Paula Gunn Allen, Sacred Hoop
Peter Nabokov, Native American Testimony
Greg Sarris, Keeping Slug Woman Alive
Carl Waldman, Atlas of the North American Indian
primary sources, Internet and reserve reading
Assignments
30% Response Papers
25% Research Paper and report to class
10% quizzes, discussion (including leadership) and participation
20% regional group presentations [history/treaties (land) and culture/stories(identity)]
15% final
The following are some useful websites for this course:
Syllabus
I. Basic History
A. Before 1500
Aug 30 Introductions/ biographies/surveys
Sept 4 Geography and Culture
Read: Waldman 1-51
Sept 6 500 Nations
Read: Waldman 52-80; Nabokov 1-17
Sept 11 Confederations: Deganawidah and the Iroquois League
The Great Binding Law of the Iroquois (on line)
Due: Response to law
(Sunday) What can we learn from archeology? Visit Sunwatch
B. 1500-1830
Sept 13 Indians and Explorers
Read: Waldman 81-102; Nabokov 18-48
Paper Topics Due
Discussion leaders:
Sept 18 Colonial Wars
Read Waldman 103-130; Nabokov 49-89
DUE Response to Sunwatch or Conner Prairie
Sept 20 Wars for the Old northwest
Read: Waldman 131-145; Nabokov 90-116
Due: Northeast Report
C. 1830-1924
Read Nabokov 117-144;
Due: Southeast Report
Discussion leaders:
Sept 27 Local History
Review Hum A Readings
Read Miami Nation of Indians of the State of Indiana
Sept 29 Stomp Dance: Tribes of the Ohio Valley
Oct 2 Wars for the West
Read: Waldman 147-188
Response Due to Stomp Dance
Read Nabokov 145-186
Oct 9 Dawes Act and Aftermath
Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Nov 15, 1871
Report of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs Dec 12, 1871
Read Nabokov 185-231
DUE: Plains Indian Report
Response to Dawes Act
II. Contemporary Issues: Politics, Land, Identity 1924-2000
Oct 11 Reading Across Cultures
Read: Sarris 1-62
DUE: Southwest Report
Response to Sarris
Oct 16 Reading Narrated Indian Lives
Read Sarris 79-114
Nabokov 232-274
DUE: Coastal Reports
Oct 18 Midsemester Break
Refresh your memory of "Love Medicine"
Oct 23 "Love Medicine as Home Medicine
Read Sarris 115-145
DUE Response to Sarris and Erdrich
Oct 30 Sacred hoop
Read Allen 1-75; Nabokov 275-303
Nov 1 Sacred hoop
Read Allen 76-117; 127-146
DUE: Response to Allen
Nov 6 Sacred hoop
Read Allen 185-221; Nabokov 304-331
Nov 8 Sacred Hoop
Read Allen 222-268; Sarris 63-76
DUE: Response Comparing Sarris and Allen
Nov 13 Politics: Tribe, Nation, sovereignty
Read Deloria 1-65
Center for World Indigenous Studies: Self Government Process Report
Discussion leaders:
Nov 15 Collier Bill
Read Deloria 66-100
DUE Response to Julie Olds/Daryl Baldwin
Thanksgiving Vacation
Nov 27 Indian Reorganization Act
Read Deloria 101-182
Research Papers Due (May be handed in before Thanksgiving )
Discussion leaders:
Nov 29 The Activist Seventies
Read: Deloria 183-231; Nabokov 332-380
Indian Civil Rights Act 25USC 1301
Response Paper Due
Discussion leaders:
Dec 4 Future of Indian Nations
Read Deloria 232-267
Dec 6 Video
Read Nabokov 381-440
Dec 11 Read: Identity in Mashpee
Nabokov 441-472
Response Due to article
Dec 13 Review for Final
Assignments
30% There are 13 possible response papers.. You choose to respond to 10 of the texts, primary
documents, videos, field trips or guests by writing a 2-4 page response paper (more guidance
will be given for specialized topics)offering a reflective and careful analysis of your subject.
25% 8-10 page research paper, with introduction, thesis, literature review, topic development and concluding analysis. You must use 10-15 sources, depending upon your topic. Consultations are encouraged and library help is available. Plan early.
Topics due: Sept 13
Paper Due: Nov 15 or Nov 27 (your choice)
10% quizzes, discussion (including leadership) and participation
20% regional group presentations focusing on land (histories, treaties etc) and identity (culture
stories etc) We will divide up into 5 geographic regions. Presentation dates are listed in the
syllabus.
15% final The final will be short answer, some map work, and essay. It is scheduled for Friday
Dec. 21 at 10:30.
Return to Table of Contents