Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Flathead) State Names I, 2000.

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of American Indian history from pre-colonial times until the present.  Emphasis is placed on Indian-Anglo cultural interaction, U.S. policy development, and the roles played by Indian peoples to ensure their survival and on-going cultural integrity into the 21st century.

Learning Objectives:

• Historical Knowledge: students will be able to:
  • Describe the significant people, places and events of American Indian history.
  • Analyze the historical forces that shaped the pre-contact traditions of the indigenous societies in North America.
  • Explain the impact of disease, violence, and trade upon Indian people during the colonial period.
  • Differentiate the major objectives, campaigns, and outcomes of America’s Indian Wars.
  • Describe the strategies of resistance and accommodation employed by Indian leaders facing forced removal.
  • Give examples of  Indian responses to their concentration on reservations by the federal government.
  • Analyze the factors shaping federal Indian policy from allotment to reorganization.
  • Describe the influence of red power on the politics of self-determination during the late twentieth century.
  • Outline the major cases and laws affecting Indian County.

• Historical Thinking: Students will be able to
  • Evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, and trends in the historiography of American Indians.

•  Historical Skills: Students will be able to:
  • Critically discuss assigned texts
  • Present  their research/analyses

Activities in support of Learning:

• Discussion Forums.  You are usually required to make three posts per forum. Two of these should be substantive responses to our readings (topics are posted, including work with primary documents), and one should be a response to the post of a classmate. Points are earned for:
  • Response to topic A (including evidence of critical thinking and citation of sources) = 8 points
  • Response to topic B (including evidence of critical thinking and citation of sources) = 8 points
  • Response to colleague's post = 4 points

    Posts should total a minimum of 600 words per week. Cite your sources. Your grade for the discussion forums will be based on the timeliness of your responses, their length, their quality and substance, your use of assigned readings. (20 points each forum)

• 2 Exams. These will be randomized from a list of posted topics. (50 points each) These exams must be taken on Chi Tester at  a WSU testing center or under proctored conditions.
• Projects -- or short papers.There will be a variety of projects. Choose 10. These short papers (200-300 words) should be completed by the Monday after the unit in which they are described. Points will be taken off late projects. (10 points each) Points are earned for:
  • Accomplishment of the assignment = 5 points
  • Composition skills - 3 points
  • citation of sources = 2 points
• Treaty Research paper. Students will research a particular treaty, it use in Indian land claims, its significance in modern times. (15 points) Points are earned for:
  • Following assigned format = 4 points
  • Critical thinking = 6 points
  • Absence of mechanical flaws = 3 points
  • Correctness of sources citation = 2 points
• Book Presentation. Students will read a contemporary novel by an American Indian author and will present their responses to the text in ashort paper. (15 points) Points are earned for:
  • Addressing all topics = 5 points
  • Addressing issues of course and text = 7 points
  • Absence of mechanical flaws = 3 points
• Final reflection statement (up to 5 points)

I will accept work late -- but such work will automatically earn fewer points.

Texts: 

• First Peoples by Colin Calloway
• Facing East from Indian Country by Daniel Richter
• The Native Ground by Kathleen DuVal
• We Shall RemainLinks to an external site. 5 Episode film series from PBS. These films are available on reserve in Stewart Library. They are also available at Weber County Library and many other libraries.
• additional readings as assigned

Grades:

Assignments are weighted. Grades will be based on a percentage of the points possible

A = 94 -100%
B = 83 - 86%
C = 73 - 76%
D = 60 - 66%

• Discussion forums: = 20 points each
• 2 exams = 100 points
• 10 project papers = 100 points
• treaty research paper = 15 points
• book presentation = 15 points

About accommodations:

• Any student requiring accommodations or services dues to a disability must contact Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) in room 181 of the Student Service Center. SSD can also arrange to provide course materials (including this syllabus) in alternative formats if necessary.
• Weber State University recognizes that there are times when course content may differ from a student's core beliefs. Faculty, however, have a responsibility to teach content that is related to the discipline and that has a reasonable relationship to pedagogical goals. If you, as a student, believe that the content of the course conflicts with your ability to pursue the topic, you may request a resolution from the instructor. (See PPM 6-22.)

About Plagiarism:

Plagiarism on any of your work will result in failure of the project in question. Plagiarism may also be ground for failing the course. If at any time, you are unsure about what might constitute plagiarism, just ask. I'll be glad to help you figure out where and when you need to document sources or credit others with ideas you wish to borrow.  WSU Student CodeLinks to an external site.

A good example of plagiarism is available from CNN: https://money.cnn.com/interactive/news/kfile-trump-monica-crowley-plagiarized-multiple-sources-2012-book/ (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.