Topic:  American Indian Philosophy and Issues

This course is divided into two main parts.  In the first part, we
will lay out the basic framework of American Indian philosophy.  We
will begin by addressing general questions regarding knowledge (what
it is, how do we have it and how do we get it) as well as the nature
of things, existence, and so forth (what it is, how it is, and why it
is).  We will then use this framework to understand the ways in which
questions of right and wrong, good or bad, just or unjust, and so
forth are asked and answered in this context.  Having laid this
groundwork, we will then delve head long into American Indian issues
(Part Two of the course).  We will begin with specific cases, for
example, whaling rights in the Northwest, peyote use in the
Southwest, and so forth.  The goal is to build up to discussions of
larger ethical issues both in the context of American Indian culture
and in relation to the treatment of American Indians both legally and
otherwise.  Examples of these larger issues might be the supposed
gender hierarchies in American Indian cultures, on the one hand, and
land allotment policies put in place by the Federal Government, on
the other.  The general issues addressed will concern: education,
environment, land rights/ treath rights/ hunting and fishing rights,
sovereignty, and gender equality.

Texts: American Indian Philosophy Reader (Blackwell), and a course
packet including essays by the following American Indian authors:
Vine Deloria Jr., Ward Churchill, Paula Gunn Allen, Anne Waters,
Thurman Lee Hester Jr., V.L. Cordova, and others.

Course Requirements: Each student will be asked to write three
summaries and two short essays.