ANTH 238 Native Peoples of North America
This course examines the wide variety of Native American Indian cultures which existed with stress upon their character immediately prior to white contact. An attempt is made to see each culture as a complete and distinct whole. Native American origins and the conditions and way of life at the present are discussed.
ANTH 238Native Peoples of North America
Please note: This is not a course syllabus. A course syllabus is unique to a particular section of a course by instructor. This curriculum guide provides general information about a course.
I. General Information
Department
Social Science
II. Course Specification
Course Type
Program Requirement
Credit Hours Narrative
3 Credits
Semester Contact Hours Lecture
48
Grading Method
Letter grade
III. Catalog Course Description
This course examines the wide variety of Native American Indian cultures which existed with stress upon their character immediately prior to white contact. An attempt is made to see each culture as a complete and distinct whole. Native American origins and the conditions and way of life at the present are discussed.
IV. Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:
- Differentiate the major distinctions between the three basic time periods in ancient North America (PaleoIndian, Archaic, Historic).
- Identify the nine cultural regions defined for ancient North America (Arctic, Sub-Arctic, Northwest Coast, California, Plateau, Great Basin, Great Plains, Great Lakes, Northeast Woodlands, Southeast Woodlands) and provide an example of at least one Native American group from each area.
- Classify the four basic types of political systems found in ancient North America (bands, tribes, chiefdoms, states) and give examples of cultural areas where each of the four types was found in ancient North America.
- Classify the four basic types of subsistence systems (foraging, subsistence farming, pastoralism, intensive agriculture) found in Ancient North America and give an example of one group representing each system.
- Summarize the evolution of hunting technology used by most Native American peoples.
- Differentiate patrilineal from matrilineal kinship systems and give an example of one group that used each of these systems.
- Contrast the three basic types of exchange systems used in Ancient North America (generalized reciprocity, balanced reciprocity, negative reciprocity).
- Define each of several key terms used to describe religious practices found in ancient North America (shaman, ancestral spirits, animism, animatism, vision quest, cults)
- Identify the key distinctions between ancient Native American foragers and Native American subsistence farmers.
V. Topical Outline (Course Content)
European Invasion and Conquest
Native Peoples of the Arctic
Native Peoples of the Subarctic
Native Peoples of the Plateau
Native Peoples of the Northwest Coast
Native Peoples of the Great Basin
Native Peoples of California
Native Peoples of the Southwest
Native Peoples of the Plains
Native Peoples of the Northeast
Native Peoples of the Southeast
Contemporary Issues
VI. Delivery Methodologies
Required Assignments
Video summary and reaction: "Ishi in Two Worlds"
Video summary and reaction: "Inuit Odyssey"
Video summary and reaction: "Crooked Beak of Heaven"
Video summary and reaction: "Mystery of the Red Paint People"
Participate in lab exercise: making dogbane cordage
Participate in lab exercise: making a catlinite tear-drop pendant
Participate in lab exercise: make a stone arrowpoint
Participate in lab exercise: make a split-twig figure
Participate in lab exercise: make a leather pouch
Complete comparison chart distinguishing 4 major subsistence types.
Complete comparison chart distinguishing 4 major political system types.
Required Exams
Four lab exercise summaries, minimum of half page
Three video reactions, minimum of half page
Final exam
Required Text
Sutton, Mark Q., An Introduction to Native North America, 4th Ed. Pearson.
Specific Course Activity Assignment or Assessment Requirements
Video summary and reaction: "Ishi in Two Worlds"
Video summary and reaction: "Inuit Odyssey"
Video summary and reaction: "Crooked Beak of Heaven"
Video summary and reaction: "Mystery of the Red Paint People"
Participate in lab exercise: making dogbane cordage
Participate in lab exercise: making a catlinite tear-drop pendant
Participate in lab exercise: make a stone arrowpoint
Participate in lab exercise: make a split-twig figure
Participate in lab exercise: make a leather pouch
Complete comparison chart distinguishing 4 major subsistence types.
Complete comparison chart distinguishing 4 major political system types.
Four lab exercise summaries, minimum of half page
Three video reactions, minimum of half page
Final exam