Spring 2012 Course Offerings

IS 121: Introduction to Indian Studies (3 credits)

Dr. Birgit Hans, Dr. Gregory Gagnon, Dr. Sebastian Braun

This course provides students with an overview of Native North American cultures and societies, as well as with the historical background to understand issues that contemporary Native societies are facing. The class looks at cultures, culture change, and culture contact, and the course gives students a framework with which they can approach and understand cultural difference and similarities, as well as historical and contemporary culture change. The class also investigates the methods of investigating cultures and history, and the problems with these approaches. This course discusses both historical and contemporary issues facing Native communities.

This is an introductory course; such courses have to cover a broad field in a short amount of time, and therefore require quite a bit of reading. This is, at least in part, a reading intensive course.

IS 207 History of the Three Affiliated Tribes (3 credits)

Dr. Birgit Hans

A survey of the history of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people. The first part of the course deals with the history of the separate tribes, and the second part is concerned with their corporate history since 1862.

IS 240 Research and Writing in Indian Studies (3 credits)

Dr. Birgit Hans

The course will introduce students to professional writing in Indian Studies. The final goal is for students to turn out a 20-25 page research paper in an area of interest to them.

IS 251 Lakota Languages II (3 credits)

Dr. Sebastian Braun

This is the second of two Lakota language classes for beginning speakers.
This course is the second part of the beginning language course for Lakota. Students continue learning the language, with an emphasis on oral communication skills. This is a two-semester course; by the end of the second semester, students will have a basic understanding of Lakota and will be able to form phrases and translate simple texts. In order to understand the way this Siouan language works, the class also covers some social and cultural aspects that influence the linguistics and usage involved.

This is a language class: we will not simply learn month names, animals, colors, or set expressions. Lakota deserves just as much respect as any other language. Students learn Lakota grammar, vocabulary, and sentence structure, so that they will be able to form their own sentences and express their own thoughts in Lakota.

IS 379 Special Topics - Traditional American Indian Games (1 credit)

Dr. Birgit Hans

Please see Dr. Hans for a course description.

IS 380 Indians in the Twenty-First Century (3 credits)

Dr. Sebastian Braun

More than 563 federally recognized tribes and 2.4 million American Indians entered the 21st century. Indians have a unique status within the United States resulting from history. This course examines the Unique Status and its origins, explores the issues, both positive and negative, that face American Indians and their governments, and explores the place of Indians within the United States. Topics include: the legacies of Indian cultures and federal policies, tribal governments and their interactions with state and federal governments, health and wellness issues, social developments, and urban Indians.

IS 492: Directed Readings in Indian Studies (1-3 credits)

Hours Arranged; By Instructor Permission Only

IS 494: Independent Study in Indian Studies (1-3 credits)

Hours Arranged, By Instructor Permission Only