Humanities Explorations (260-0-22)

Topic

Red Power: Indigenous Resistance in the US and Can

Instructors

Douglas Metoxen Kiel
847/467-4821
Harris 229

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-425: Mon, Wed 2:00PM - 3:20PM

Overview of class

Red Power: Indigenous Resistance in the U.S. and Canada

In 2016, thousands of Indigenous water protectors and their non-Native allies camped at the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in an effort to block the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline. That movement is part of a long history of Native activism. In this course, we will examine the individual and collective ways in which Indigenous people have resisted colonial domination in the U.S. and Canada since 1887. In addition to focusing on North America, we will also turn our attention to Hawai‘i. This course will emphasize environmental justice, and highlights religious movements, inter-tribal organizations, key intellectual figures, student movements, armed standoffs, non-violent protest, and a variety of visions for Indigenous community self-determination.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 1) Identify and analyze the historical and contemporary forms of Indigenous resistance to colonialism in North America and the Pacific; 2) Compare and contrast the different strategies, goals, and outcomes of various Indigenous movements and organizations across time and space; 3) Evaluate and critique the dominant narratives and representations of Indigenous activism in mainstream media and academic literature; 4) Apply and integrate the concepts and theories of environmental justice, decolonization, and self-determination to the case studies of Indigenous activism; 5) Reflect and articulate their own positionality and responsibility as allies or participants in Indigenous struggles for justice and sovereignty.

Evaluation Method

Evaluation is based on a research paper and class participation.

Class Materials (Required)

Materials will be available on Canvas.

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Interdisciplinary Distro-rules apply

Associated Classes

DIS - Locy Hall 318: Fri 10:00AM - 10:50AM

DIS - NO DATA: NO DATA

DIS - Locy Hall 314: Fri 11:00AM - 11:50AM

DIS - NO DATA: NO DATA