Native American Studies

Program Objectives

The Native American Studies Minor integrates a wide variety of academic areas, including anthropology, history, political science, economics, business, and law. The overall objective of the program is to increase the diversity of the EOU educational process. Students can complete their minors both on and off campus due to the diversity of offerings in both teaching areas. The minor will lead to a greater understanding of Native American peoples who have had significant roles in the history and tenure of North America. Knowledge of Native American people’s general and specific belief systems benefits EOU students in all fields of study. Awareness of their continuing political role in tribal, federal, state, and local government activities enhances the overall knowledge of our students, including people in applied fields of study such as anthropology, education, and business. It is also important for our students to recognize the U.S. Government’s federal trust responsibility toward treaty rights.

Learning Outcomes

Content Knowledge: Develop a general understanding of the diversity of North American Indian culture through an in-depth consideration of different Tribes and Nations.
Applied and Integrated Learning: Explore North American Indian mythology and spiritual beliefs.
Civic Engagement: Discover how North American Indians have been affected by cultural change and learn about the diversity of Native American governments.

Means of Assessment

To ensure that students meet the above program outcomes, they demonstrate proficiencies by means of the following (depending on the course): research papers, essays, in-class exams (essays, short answers, objective questions), take-home exams, map quizzes, group projects, individual and group presentations, library skills assignments, critical autobiographies, and oral histories, production and analysis of surveys, development of formal research proposals, ethnographic observations and field-based research, reaction papers, summaries/analysis papers based on reading, quizzes, formal debates, book reviews, literature reviews, and class participation and preparedness. Each assignment is assessed by means of specific evaluative criteria.

Programs

Minor(s)

Native American Studies Minor