St. Cloud State University
General Education Goal Area 5
History and the Social & Behavioral Sciences
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
1.
Prepared by: Jeanne Lacourt
Phone: 8-1048
Proposal Number:
Email: jalacourt@stcloudstate.edu
2.
Requesting Unit: Ethnic Studies Department
3.
Department, Course Number, Title: ETHS 410: Contemporary American Indian Issues
4.
New Course
5.
Will this course be flagged as a diversity course?
Already Designated as Diversity
6.
Will this course also satisfy another General Education Goal Area?
If “Yes” specify which goal area.
Existing Course
No
Diversity Proposal Accompanying This Form
No
Yes
7.
Course bulletin description, including credits and semesters to be offered:
Contemporary research and theory on the American Indian experience within a global and historic
context. Prereq 210 or 201. 3 Cr. S.
8.
Indicate the clientele for whom this course is designed. Is the course for general education only, or
does it fulfill general education and other program needs for this or another department? Obtain
signatures from any affected departments.
This is a required course for the American Indian Studies minor and is an elective for the Ethnic Studies
minor. It is also open to all undergraduates seeking general education credit in area 5 and those seeking diversity
credit.
9.
Indicate any changes that must be made in offerings or resources in your department or other
departments by offering this course.
None.
10.
For new courses or courses not yet approved for General Education, indicate any other SCSU departments
or units offering instruction that relates to the content of the proposed course.
N/A
11.
Courses designated as General Education are included in the assessment plan for the Goal Area(s)
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for which they are approved. Courses for which assessment is not included in the annual GE
assessment report for two years will be removed from the General Education Program.
The Requesting Unit understands and recognizes the above conditions.
12.
Provide a concise explanation of how the following goal is a “significant focus” of the proposed course.
Goal Area 5: History and the Social & Behavioral Sciences
Develop understanding of human societies and behaviors, and of the concepts, theories, and methods of
history and the social sciences.
This course looks at current issues and their historical roots facing American Indian people. It explores
the works of several noted American Indian scholars in several disciplines. Examination of major concepts and
theories as well as methodological approaches to both qualitative and quantitative research are examined and
applied.
13. In order for a course to be designated as fulfilling Goal Area 5, it must address at least 4 of the 5 student learning
outcomes (SLOs) below. Check the SLOs below that are focused on in the proposed general education course.
1. Describe or use the methods and data by which historians, social scientists, or behavioral scientists investigate
human conditions.
2. Analyze human behavior, cultures, and social institutions and processes from the perspectives of history or the
social and behavioral sciences.
3. Develop explanations for and explore solutions to historical or contemporary social problems.
4. Reflect upon themselves in relation to family, communities, society, culture, and/or their histories.
5. Apply and critique alternative explanatory systems or theories about human societies and behaviors.
14.
Discuss how each Student Learning Outcome checked above is achieved in this course. (Note: Although
descriptions of typical assignments or types of assignments may be part of this discussion, it is not
appropriate to submit copies of actual assignments.)
SOL1 is addressed when students compare historical, anthropological, social science and behavioral
science texts of contemporary American Indian issues. By analyzing the methods used in these disciplines,
students will learn about American Indian living conditions from perpectives pertaining to different disciplines
using differing methodologies. Through class discussion and short evaluation essay, students will learn how each
discipline differs in its methodologies of studying native people.
SOL 2 is addressed when students conduct a limited literature review based on a topic of their choice pertaining to
contemporary American Indian issues. By reading at least 5 to 8 articles from within a social science discipline,
students will engage in writing a review of American Indian behavior or institutions that contribute to the
behavior. Students will investigate the commonalities in and differences from the perspectives of their chosen
articles and address these perpectives in their literature review.
SOL 3 is addressed when students determine a research project to pursue. Once a literature review is conducted
and students choose a methodology, students will then create a "poster board" on which to display the problem,
the literature, the method, the data and the results. Designing a research project demands that students focus on an
issue, explore and investigate the underlying causes and historical events that contribute to the issue, hypothesize
solutions and/or develop explanations for addressing the issue and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of
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the issue from both an historical and contemporary position. Students will gain an understanding of how history
contributes to contemporary issues and how people have tried to address the problems over time. Students will
also demonstrate their competencies by designing and presenting their "poster board" to their class.
SOL 5 is addressed when students conduct a "peer review process" of their work. By reviewing one another's
work, students will offer alternatives suggestions about how gender, religion, social policies, historical events,
language, oppression and other factors influence how American Indian contemporary issues are viewed.
15.
List or attach the Course Outline (adequately described and including percentage of time to be allocated
to each topic). Curriculum Committees may request additional information. Topics larger than 20% need
to be broken down further. Indicate in your course outline where the Student Learning Outcomes
checked above are being met.
Indigenous cultures and societies prior to contact - 10% - SOL 2
The conditions of American Indians today - 15% - SOL 1
Issues of urban vs reservation Indians - 10% - SOL 1
Theories of research - 10% - SOL 3
Literature reviews - 15% - SOL 2 & SOL 3
Qualitative vs quantitative methods - 15% - SOL 3
Future directions for Indian people - 10% - SOL 5
Student research projects - 15% - SOL 3 & SOL 5
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St. Cloud State University
General Education Transmittal Form
Academic Affairs Use Only:
Response Date:
Effective Date:
Proposal Number
Department: Ethnic Studies Department
Course or Course(s): ETHS 410: Contemporary American Indian Issues
Department or Unit Chair Signature
Date
Department forward to Academic Affairs for publication and electronically to Chair of General Education Committee, Chair
of College Curriculum Committee, College Dean
Recommendation of General Education Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of University Curriculum Committee:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
Chairperson
Committee
Signature
Date
Recommendation of Faculty Association:
Approve
Remarks:
Disapprove
FA Senate
Signature
Date
Action of Academic Vice President:
Approve
Disapprove
Signature
Entered in Curriculum Data File
12/11/2009
Remarks:
Date