I. ASCRC General Education Form (revised 2/8/13)
Use to propose new general education courses (except writing courses), to change existing
gen ed courses and to remove designations for existing gen ed courses.
Note: One-time-only general education designation may be requested for experimental courses
(X91-previously X95), granted only for the semester taught. A NEW request must be
submitted for the course to receive subsequent general education status.
Group
II. Mathematics
VII: Social Sciences
(submit
III. Language
VIII: Ethics & Human Values
separate forms
III Exception: Symbolic Systems * IX: American & European
if requesting
IV: Expressive Arts
X: Indigenous & Global
more than one
X V: Literary & Artistic Studies
XI: Natural Sciences
general
education
VI: Historical & Cultural Studies w/ lab  w/out lab 
group
*Courses proposed for this designation must be standing requirements of
designation)
majors that qualify for exceptions to the modern and classical language
requirement
Dept/Program Native American Studies
Course #
105
Course Title
Prerequisite
Introduction to Native American Studies
None
Credits
II. Endorsement/Approvals
Complete the form and obtain signatures before submitting to Faculty Senate Office
Please type / print name Signature
3
Date
2/19/13
Instructor
Wade Davies
Wade Davies
Phone / Email X5835 wade.davies@mso.umt.edu
Program Chair Dave Beck
Dean
Chris Comer
III. Type of request
New
One-time Only
Renew X
Change
Remove
Reason for Gen Ed inclusion, change or deletion
Description of change
IV. Description and purpose of new general education course: General Education courses
must be introductory and foundational within the offering department or within the General
Education Group. They must emphasize breadth, context, and connectedness; and relate course
content to students’ future lives: See Preamble:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/archives/minutes/gened/GE_preamble.aspx
This class is the entry class for all NAS majors and is our most commonly taken class by
students from other majors. It is also foundational as a Native American history course (our
upper-division Native American history courses do not carry the “H” designation for this
reason). It is currently our only class with a group VI designation. About 2/3rds of the course
content is focused on the history of Native American communities, their relations with colonial
European powers, and the course of U.S. Indian policy. The history portions of the class, as
well as the other portions, also deal with cultural studies. There is a broad geographic scope to
the course, as we study Native communities in Canada, the U.S., and Latin America, as well as
the major European colonizing powers’ political, economic, and cultural motivations. Students
take short answer and short essay exams that require introductory-level historical analysis. The
class also requires students to draw connections between the historical and cultural content and
present-day legal, economic, cultural, and political issues affecting both Natives and nonNatives in Montana and elsewhere.
V. Criteria: Briefly explain how this course meets the criteria for the group. See:
http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Present ideas and information with a view to
Students do not just learn about major
understanding the causes, development, and
policies affecting Native peoples, but about
consequences of historical events
the motives Europeans and the U.S. had for
developing these policies, the reasons Native
people had to respond as they did (in a
variety of ways), and how the outcomes
differed from the intent; Students also study
how modern communities must still deal
with the legacies of these policies
Evaluate texts or artifacts within their historical In addition to secondary source material,
and/or cultural contexts
students study primary historical documents
(e.g. key Supreme Court decisions and
Congressional legislation) in lectures and
reading assignments, and learn to interpret
those documents from European and Native
perspectives. Primary documents also
include spoken and written versions of
Native American oral traditions, which are
also analyzed within the appropriate cultural
contexts
Analyze human behavior, ideas, and institutions We study the governing and legal institutions
within their respective historical and or cultural that make and enforce Indian policies in the
contexts
United States, as well as tribal and pan-tribal
institutions (including tribal governments).
In all cases, we study how Natives and nonNatives have often interpreted and responded
to these institutions and policies differently.
We also study a diversity of Native
American spiritual and philosophical world
views.
VI. Student Learning Goals: Briefly explain how this course will meet the applicable learning
goals. See: http://umt.edu/facultysenate/documents/forms/GE_Criteria5-1-08.aspx
Learning Outcomes:
Students should leave the course
understanding and being able to describe
cultural commonalities and differences
among Native American peoples; key
colonial and U.S. Indian policies (including
the motives for these policies, the motives
Native people had for responding to them as
they did, and the long-term effects); and the
legal, political, and cultural context for
some of the modern issues that are of great
concern to Native communities and
individuals; Students should also be able to
discuss key concepts and think critically
about Native American spiritual, literary,
artistic, and sporting traditions.
VII. Justification: Normally, general education courses will not carry pre-requisites, will carry
at least 3 credits, and will be numbered at the 100-200 level. If the course has more than one
pre-requisite, carries fewer than three credits, or is upper division (numbered above the 200
level), provide rationale for exception(s).
VIII. Syllabus: Paste syllabus below or attach and send digital copy with form.  The syllabus
should clearly describe how the above criteria are satisfied. For assistance on syllabus
preparation see: http://teaching.berkeley.edu/bgd/syllabus.html
NAS 105-02: Introduction to Native American Studies
Dr. Davies
MWF 9:10-10:00 NAC 105
Office: NAC 203A
Email: Wade.Davies@mso.umt.edu
Office phone: 243-5835
Office hours: MWF 11:10-12:00 and 1:00-1:30 or by appointment
Course Description: This course is a general overview of traditional and modern American
Indian cultures with a cross-disciplinary approach. Topics covered include American Indian
oral traditions, relations with nature, social structures and practices, spiritual beliefs and
practices, history, art, dance, literature, sports and current issues.
Learning Outcomes:
Students should leave the course understanding and being able to describe cultural
commonalities and differences among Native American peoples; key colonial and U.S. Indian
policies (including the motives for these policies, the motives Native people had for responding
to them as they did, and the long-term effects); and the legal, political, and cultural context for
some of the modern issues that are of great concern to Native communities and individuals;
Students should also be able to discuss key concepts and think critically about Native
American, spiritual, literary, artistic, and sporting traditions.
Required Readings:
*There are multiple sections of this course taught by different professors. Make sure you
purchase the readings at the bookstore listed under NAS 105 section “02” with “Davies”
as the professor.
D’Arcy McNickle. The Surrounded
ERES (electronic reserve readings available through library website--the password for the
course in ERES is “nasx105”).
Course Grade: The course grade is based on the following requirements (please note that
Native American Studies does not allow classes to be taken Pass/No Pass)
Three Exams (30 points each)
Participation and Group Work (10 points)
=100 points total
Based on your total points, your course grade will be determined as follows: 92 and up=A; 9091=A-; 88-89=B+; 82-87=B; 80-81-B-; 78-79=C+; 72-77=C; 70-71=C-; 68-69=D+; 62-67=D;
60-61=D-; 59 and below=F
Examinations: Each exam will be worth 30 points and will cover material from the preceding
third of the course, including both readings and lecture. Exams will include short answer and
essay questions.
Participation and Group Work: This portion of the grade is worth 10 points and includes both
individual and group efforts. Consistent attendance, participation in class discussions, signs of
extra effort (e.g. improvement over time, discussing class issues with the professor, helping
others in the class etc.), and shared scores on in-class group assignments make up this portion
of the grade.
Make-ups: Exams must be taken on the specified dates. If it is necessary (for medical or other
unavoidable reasons) to take an exam late, arrangements must be made with the professor
ahead of time (except in documented cases of medical emergencies that prevent you from
getting in touch with me until after the exam).
Calendar: Have the assigned readings completed for the dates indicated.
Week 1:
8/27 Introduction
8/29 Calloway chap. 1, pgs. 12-21
8/31 no reading assignment
Week 2:
9/3 Labor Day, No Class
9/5 Calloway chap. 1, pgs. 21-30
9/7 Schremp chap. 2
Week 3:
9/10 Schremp chap. 4
9/12 Calloway chap. 2, pgs. 63-66
9/14 Calloway chap. 2, pgs. 66-69
Week 4:
9/17 Calloway chap. 2, pgs. 69-78
9/19 Calloway chap. 2, pgs. 78-84
9/21 Calloway chap. 2, pgs. 84-92
Week 5:
9/24-9/26 no additional readings
9/28 First Exam
Week 6:
10/1-10/5 no additional readings
Week 7:
10/8 read any hand-outs
10/10 Oswalt chap. 11, pgs. 324-328
10/12 Oswalt chap. 11, pgs. 328-338
Week 8:
10/15 Oswalt chap. 11, pgs. 338-346
10/17 Oswalt chap. 11, pgs. 346-356
10/19 Frey chap. 2, begin reading
Week 9:
10/22 Frey chap. 2, finish reading
10/24 Frey chap. 4
10/26 no reading assignments
Week 10:
10/29-31 read any hand-outs
11/2 Second Exam
Week 11:
11/5-9 review websites shown on lecture outlines
Week 12:
11/12 Veterans Day, No Class
11/14-16 review websites shown on lecture outlines
Week 13:
11/19 begin reading The Surrounded
11/21-23 Thanksgiving break
Week 14:
11/26-30 continue reading The Surrounded
Week 15:
12/3-7 finish reading The Surrounded
Final 8-10:00 Monday, December 10th in our regular room
Please note: Approved general education changes will take effect next fall.
General education instructors will be expected to provide sample assessment items and
corresponding responses to the Assessment Advisory Committee.