Course Outline for History 25
American Indian History and Culture

Effective: Fall 2016
SLO Rev: 05/19/2016
Catalog Description:

HIS 25 - American Indian History and Culture

3.00 Units

(See also ES 25 )
Historical survey of American Indians in the United States from earliest times to the present day. Emphasis on Indian societies and cultures, Indian relations with predominant cultures, Indian movement for self-preservation, and historical background necessary to understand contemporary problems of the Indians. Emphasis on the Indians of California and the West. May not receive credit if ES 25 has been completed.
Letter Grade Only
Type Units Inside of Class Hours Outside of Class Hours Total Student Learning Hours
Lecture 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Total 3.00 54.00 108.00 162.00
Measurable Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. identify the roots of American Indian history as an area of academic study;
  2. assess the social, political and economic conditions in Europe, Africa, and the Americas in the centuries preceding the exploration, invasion and conquest of the Americas;
  3. identify and analyze the diverse indigenous cultures of North American peoples and the role they played in the creation and evolution of America; compare and contrast individual tribes by region;
  4. discuss the role of American Indians in the pre-revolutionary war period, and their wartime contributions;
  5. explain the impact of the American Revolution on the American Indians;
  6. analyze the U.S. Constitution as a document that did not include American Indians in its original form;
  7. describe the early Republic, Jefferson and his predecessors’ Indian policy;
  8. explain American Indians’ role and contributions in the War of 1812;
  9. describe territorial expansion and its effects on American Indians and other ethnic groups;
  10. analyze growing sectional differences and its effect on American Indians and their land;
  11. explain the Mexican War, Manifest Destiny and resulting statehood for California and its Constitution and its impact on California Indians;
  12. discuss American Indians’ role and participation in the American Civil War and Reconstruction;
  13. analyze crisscrossing dynamics of race, ethnicity, gender, religion and class, and its effect from the Federalist Period through Reconstruction;
  14. describe economic transformations of the 20th century and the effects these changes had on American Indians and others;
  15. trace the beginnings of early American Indians’ rights movement as an outgrowth of other social reform movements;
  16. explain American Indians’ participation in World Wars I and II and the effects of that participation;
  17. assess the impact of the Great Depression and New Deal on American Indians in comparison with other groups;
  18. identify aspects of postwar American society that hindered American Indian progress;
  19. identify and discuss American Indian agenda and assess progress.
Course Content:
  1. Introduction of American Indian history: cultures, societies, politics and economies before conquest.
  2. Europe and Africa before exploration, invasion and conquest of the Americas.
  3. Diverse indigenous cultures of North America and their role in the creation and evolution of America.
  4. Role of American Indians in the pre-Revolutionary period and their wartime contributions; effects of the war on Eastern tribes.
  5. The American Constitution and Government, and American Indians.
  6. Early Republic and the Jeffersonians’ Indian policy.
  7. American Indians’ role in the War of 1812.
  8. Territorial expansion and its effects on American Indians and other ethnic groups.
  9. Growing sectional differences between northern and southern states; American Indian removal.
  10. Conflict with Mexico, Manifest Destiny; California statehood (including focus on the California Constitution) and its effects on California Indians, Mexicans and Chinese immigrants.
  11. American Indians’ role and participation in the Civil War and Reconstruction.
  12. Economic transformations of 20th century, effects on American Indians and others.
  13. Progressivism and beginning of early American Indians’ right movements.
  14. American Indian participation in World Wars I and II; effects of that participation.
  15. The impact of the Great Depression and the New Deal on American Indians in comparison with other groups.
  16. Postwar American society and the American Indian.
  17. American Indian agenda and progress.
Methods of Instruction:
  1. Audio-visual aids
  2. Lecture/Discussion
  3. Presentation
  4. Group Activities
  5. Distance Education
Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
  1. Write a 2-3 page analytical paper reviewing a book on some aspect of Native American history or culture, such as arts, crafts and religion
  2. Prepare for group discussions on opposing viewpoints of Native America
  3. Take a self-directed field trip to historical sites and assess the historical and cultural significance of Native American cultures, and art, such as Wounded Knee in South Dakota, or the Wind River Reservation in Wyoming
  4. Conduct internet and library research on Native American individuals and prepare for accompanying oral presentation in class.
  1. Exams/Tests
  2. Quizzes
  3. Papers
  4. Class Participation
  5. Final Examination
Upon the completion of this course, the student should be able to:
  1. Synthesize factual information and historical evidence from a variety of sources and identify the connections between them.
Textbooks (Typical):
  1. Nash, G. (2014). Red, White, and Black: The Peoples of Early North America (7th). Pearson.
  2. Talbot, S (2014). Native Nations of North America: An Indigenous Perspective Pearson.
  3. Townsend, K. (2013). First Americans: A History of Native Peoples Pearson.
Abbreviated Class Schedule Description:
Historical survey of American Indians in the United States from earliest times to the present day. Emphasis on Indian societies and cultures, Indian relations with predominant cultures, Indian movement for self-preservation, and historical background necessary to understand contemporary problems of the Indians. Emphasis on the Indians of California and the West. May not receive credit if ES 25 has been completed. May not receive credit if ES 25 has been completed.
Discipline:
History*, Ethnic Studies*, or