Course Outline of Record

Item	Value
Eff Term	Fall 2026
Curriculum Committee Approval Date	11/12/2025
Top Code	220300 - Ethnic Studies
Units	3 Total Units (Lecture Units 3)
Hours	54 Total Hours (Lecture Hours 54)
Total Outside of Class Hours	108
Total Student Learning Hours	162
Course Credit Status	Credit: Degree Applicable (D)
Material Fee	No
Basic Skills	Not Basic Skills (N)
Repeatable	No
Open Entry/Open Exit	No
Grading Policy	Standard Letter (S)
Associate Arts Local General Education (GE)	Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences 4B Social and Economic Institutions (OD2) Area 6 Ethnic Studies (OETH)
Associate Science Local General Education (GE)	Area 4 Social and Behavioral Sciences (OSD) Area 6 Ethnic Studies (OETH)
Global and Multicultural Requirement (OGM)	Yes

Course Description

This course provides students with an examination of contemporary critical themes in the interdisciplinary field of Native Americans and Indigenous Studies. This includes perspectives from history, sociology, psychology, gender/sexuality studies and other fields while applying an American dominant, ethnic and racial minority intergroup relations analytical lens. This course addresses Native American and Indigenous cultures prior to European contact and the continuing issues conquest, displacement, racism and discrimination that impact the lives and realities of Indigenous people groups and communities. Transfer Credit: CSU; UC.

Course Level Student Learning Outcome(s)

1. Recognize the significance of Native American and Indigenous Studies as an academic discipline and\\nhow it fits into the broader disciplinary trends of Ethnic Studies;
2. Analyze the impact of European colonialism, conquest, and genocide of indigenous populations in the\\nAmericas and how it manifests in rituals, identity, and cultural practices.
3. Evaluate the experiences of and contributions of Native American and Indigenous communities in the\\nU.S.--including colorism, prejudice, discrimination, and racism that identify broad issues linked to\\ngrassroots activism and cultural resistance.

Course Objectives

• 1. Identify the principles and processes that have shaped intergroup relations, critical events, and histories of different Native American and Indigenous groups in the U.S.
• 2. Explore the intellectual traditions, contributions, lived-experiences and social struggles of the various Native American and Indigenous people in the United States and the impact they have had on society, Indigenous identity, and positions of power.
• 3. Contrast and Compare Native American and Indigenous ethnic diversity, migration patterns, and land displacement experiences from a historical context considering family, educational, enterprise, and political development before and after European contact.
• 4. Define, analyze, and articulate the concepts of prejudice, race, ethnicity, racism, and discrimination by examining major sociological perspectives related to the diverse Native American and Indigenous communities and their struggle for self-determination and upward mobility.
• 5. Analyze colonialism, eurocentrism, white supremacy, and imperialism and how it intersects with the experiences of diverse Native American and Indigenous ethnic groups in their struggle with sovereignty, tribal nationalism, and blood quantum and colorism.
• 6. Discuss the ways various technology and media has both facilitated and constrained stereotypes and the mobility of Native American and indigenous groups in the United States and the impact is has on race, gender, class, generation, and political identities.
• 7. Explore the dynamics of political struggle, political identity, political diversity, and religion and how Native American and Indigenous diversity impacts the dynamics on contemporary politics and public policy related to Land Back Movements, Sports Mascots, and Sacred Rituals.

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Lecture Content

LECTURE CONTENT:
Course Content:
I. Roots of Ethnic Studies
A. Third World Liberation Front - San Francisco State and UC Berkeley
B. Disciplinary trends and debates in Ethnic Studies and Native American Studies
II. North American Indigeneity
A. Major Indigenous societies in all regions: North, West, South, East, Canada,
Mexico, Caribbean, Central and South America
B. Pre-colonial structures, kinship, subsistence methods, migration patterns, territorial
conflicts
III. Colonial Roots and Genocide
A. Columbus
B. The Spanish conquest and empire
C. The Portuguese conquest and empire
D. The British conquest and empire
E. Wars, Battles, and Land Displacement and its genocidal impact
IV. European Cultural Oppression and Disease Transmission
V. Land Displacement and Migration Patterns
A. Frontier Experiences
B. Impact of Slavery on Native Americans
C. Impact of Mexican American War on Native Americans
VI. Cultural Resistance and Social Movements
A. Red Power Movement
B. Land Back Movement
C. Sports Mascot Resistance Movement
D. Environmentalist Movement
VII. Shifting Identities
A. Native Hawaiians and Alaskan Natives as Indigenous People
B. Racism and Colorism in Indigenous Communities
C. Media Portrayals and Stereotypes
VIII. Power, Politics, and the Struggle for Native American Representation
A. Treaties and Agreements
B. Impact of Land Agreements on Family Structures and Work Economies
IX. Religion, Education, Media, and Healthcare in Native American Communities
A. Native American Boarding Schools
B. Native American Religion and Spirituality
C. Native music and literature in the United States
X. Gender and Sexuality Among Native American and Indigenous Communities
A. Sex, Gender and Sexuality
B. Third Sex and Native people
C. Men and Women’s roles in family, fertility, and aging
D. Generation differences and indigeneity

Method(s) of Instruction

• Lecture (02)
• DE Live Online Lecture (02S)
• DE Online Lecture (02X)

Instructional Techniques

Lectures, readings, discussions, activities, field trips, assignments, research, and assessments.

Reading Assignments

Reading Assignments Typical Assignments (students will need to read at least 3 hours per week) Annotated bibliography: Assessment of interdisciplinary scholarship and emerging trends in the field, textbook, articles, and in-depth lectures and commentaries.

Writing Assignments

Writing Assignments Typical Assignments (1 hour per week) A. Annotated bibliography: Assessment of interdisciplinary scholarship and emerging trends in the field B. Oral History Interview - interview a Native American family member or community member. Write an analytical paper examining the major themes of this person’s life experiences as they relate to course themes, theories, readings, and films B. Research project: select a topic with the approval of the instructor; write a five page paper including a bibliography of no less than 5 books/journal articles (must include both sources)

Out-of-class Assignments

Approximately 2 hours per week 2. Fieldtrips to Ethnic Museums with 300 word written analysis applying course concepts. 3. Cultural impact assignment: attend a cultural event of the group the course is focused on and write a 300 word analysis applying at least 2 concepts or theories from the lecture or text. 4. Students will assess their surrounding community to provide evidence of community engagement in research-based and written assignments. This may be in the form or oral histories, cultural mapping of neighborhoods, cultural icon and artifacts found in local communities, and/or interviewing staff at non-profits, civic organizations, or advocacy groups that directly work on behalf of the designated community as part of their mission.

Study Non-Contact Hours Recommended

108

Methods of Student Evaluation

• Midterm Exam
• Final Exam
• Short Quizzes
• Written Assignments
• Essay Examinations
• Objective Examinations
• Report
• Projects (Individual/Group)
• Problem Solving Exercises
• Oral Presentations

Demonstration of Critical Thinking

written assignments that compare and contrast Native American experiences in the US using course concepts, terms, theories, and ideas to develop insights and application.

Required Writing, Problem Solving, Skills Demonstration

Students are required to write in all assignments, reflections, portfolios, and research which included deconstructing and synthesizing material and demonstrating ability to articulate ideas grounded in the course content.

Resources Subscreen

• Textbook: Calloway, Colin G.. First Peoples: A Documentary Survey of American Indian History.. NY: Bedford/ St. Martin’s (2019).
• Open Education Resource: Stebbins, Susan. Native Peoples of North America. (2019).
• Textbook: Hoxie, Frederick, Peter C. Mancall and James H. Merril eds.. American Nations: Encounters in Indian Country 1850 to the Present.. NY: Routledge Press (2001).
• Textbook: Lurie, Nancy Oestreich, ed.. Mountain Wolf Woman: Sister of Crashing Thunder.. Ann Arbor, Michigan: University of Michigan Press (1996).
• Open Education Resource: Vine, Deloria, Jr.. Custer Died for Your Sins: An Indian Manifesto. (1988).
• Textbook: Brown, Dee. Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee: An Indian History of the American West . Holt, Rinehart & Winston (1971).

Eligible Discipline(s)

• Ethnic studies: Master’s in African American Studies, Black Studies, Africana Studies, Latino Studies, La Raza Studies, Chicana/o Studies, Asian American Studies, Native American Studies, or American Indian Studies OR Master’s in Ethnic Studies OR the equivalent. Master's degree required.