SOCY 435
NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURES
Catalog Entry
SOCY 435. Native American Cultures.
Three hours lecture (3).
Prerequisites: SOCY 110, or SOCY 121, or permission of instructor.
Study of these cultures as they existed prior to and at the time of European contact and as they exist today.
Detailed Description of Content of the Course
This course addresses the following topics:
1. The prehistory and language diversity of Native Americans.
2. Definition of the North American Indian culture areas.
3. The subsistence patterns, social organization, and religion of selected Native American groups.
4. Change in Native American cultures and their modern form.
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
This course largely operates on a lecture format, although in-class discussion is
strongly encouraged. Introductory lectures review the prehistory and biological characteristics
of Native Americans. The culture area approach to classifying Native American cultures
is also introduced. Most of the class focuses, however, on the study of traditional
adaptive patterns of selected Native American groups from different geographical regions.
Other cultural characteristics of these groups, such as their religion and kinship
structure, are also studied and compared. The comparative approach to the understanding
of Native American diversity is also stressed in the exams and written assignments.
Goals and Objectives of Course
After completing this course, students will be able to appreciate, examine, and understand
Native Americans as real, complex human beings, not just as noble savages or bloodthirsty
warriors. The focus on detailed description and comparison of Indian cultures is designed
to stress the diversity of these cultures before their major disruption by European
colonization. Also, by discussing modern Native Americans, students will be able to
see how they have changed and adjusted to foreign contact.
Assessment Measures
Several essay examinations are given to evaluate students' assimilation of information.
At least one large paper, comparing two Native American groups from different culture
areas is also required.
Other Course Information
Graduate students are required to produce a detailed book review of a book which would
be considered a primary reference on North American Indians which is not assigned
as a required course text. This is in addition to the course requirements for undergraduates
(exams, papers).
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED
February 2009, Dr. Paula Brush, Chair, Department of Sociology