AMIND 140
U.S. HISTORY FROM A NATIVE AMERICAN PERSPECTIVE TO 1870
Instructor:
Classroom & Time:
Office:
Office Hours:
Telephone:
E-Mail:
Dr. Linda Parker
Fall 2012
ENS 291. Wed, 1600-1840
Arts & Letters Bldg., Room 329
Tuesday, 1-3 and Wednesday, 2:30-3:30; and by appointment
(619) 594-1680
parker1@mail.sdsu.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course focuses on U.S. history from an indigenous perspective from pre-Columbian times
to 1870. We will examine various Native American societies with attention given to white
intrusion, the U.S. Constitution and legislation to remove Indians, control of their land and
impact upon indigenous culture and society.
REQUIRED READING:
Calloway, Colin. First Peoples. Bedford/St. Martins. 4th edition, 2011
Conley, Robert. Mountain Windsong. University of Oklahoma Press, 1992
Deloria, Ella. Waterlily. Univ. of Nebraska, new edition, 2009
Handouts.
All assigned books are available at the local bookstores and are also on reserve in the
library.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Students will be able to:
1. Identify and describe major trends and issues in U.S. history from the development of early
indigenous societies through 1870.
2. Trace and explain the evolution of American political concepts through a historical
framework which adopts an American Indian perspective, including states’ right, federalism,
and foreign policy.
3. Analyze major documents such as the U.S. Constitution, treaties, and court decisions and
their impact on indigenous populations.
4. Compare and contrast the Articles of Confederation, American Constitution and other early
documents with that of known Indian political institutions, such as the Iroquois Confederacy.
5. Describe and explain the nature of the Indian removal policy, its effects on native peoples
and their response to removal policy.
6. Explain the “Columbian exchange” of flora and fauna between Europe and North America
7. Analyze the impact of early California legislation on the native peoples of California.
8. Articulate the role of Indians in the American Civil war.
1
GRADES:
Your final grade in the course will be based on:
Three major examinations (100 points each)
Quizzes, reviews, and assignments
Exam on Mountain Windsong
Exam on Waterlily
Total Points
300 points
20 points
40 points
40 points
_________
400 points
EXAMS:
Three exams will be given to evaluate your understanding of material covered in lectures,
assigned readings, class discussions, and films. The exams will contain short essay questions,
short answer, identification, and multiple choice questions. The final exam is not cumulative.
SHORT EXAMS ON MOUNTAIN WINDSONG & WATERLILY:
These short exams may include short essays, brief answers, identification, and multiple choice
questions.
QUIZZES & ASSIGNMENTS:
Throughout the semester quizzes and in-class assignments will be given at the instructor’s
discretion. They will cover assigned readings, lectures, and films.
CLASS ATTENDANCE:
It is your responsibility to attend class on a regular basis. An occasional absence for medical
or personal reasons is acceptable. Students tend to perform better if they regularly attend class.
More than three absences will result in the reduction of the final grade by one full letter grade.
On the other hand, exceptional attendance can benefit your final grade, especially in borderline
cases.
COURSE OUTLINE:
The outline presented below is tentative and may vary, depending upon lectures, class
discussions, and progress of the class.
WEEKLY SCHEDULE AND ASSIGNED READINGS
Aug 29
Introduction
Sept 5
Early Native Civilizations in North America
Calloway, pp. 1- 39, 65-71
Sept 12
Columbian Exchange of Flora and Fauna
Indians and the Environment
Calloway, pp. 78-85
2
Sept 19
European Invasion of North America
Calloway, pp. 85-102
Sept 26
American Colonists, Puritans and Indians of the Atlantic coast
Calloway, pp. 102-111, 133-135, 139
Oct 3
Exam 1
Oct 10
Indians in Colonial America.
Calloway, pp. 152-186, 193-198
Oct 17
American Revolution
Calloway, pp. 219-248, 254-255
Oct 24
National Government. Federalism
U.S. Constitution. American Indians & the New Nation
Calloway, pp. 232-236, 274-285
Handouts
Oct 31
Indian Removal. Quiz & discussion of Mountain Windsong
Conley, MountainWindsong
Calloway, pp. 286-298
SHORT EXAM ON MOUNTAIN WINDSONG
Nov 7
Exam 2
Nov 14
the West, California Gold Rush and Indian Slavery
Calloway, pp. 332-341
Nov 21
NO CLASS. Thanksgiving Break
Nov 28
Class discussion on Waterlily (read entire book)
SHORT EXAM ON WATERLILY
Dec 5
Indians in the West and Southwest
The Indian Experience in the Civil War
Calloway, pp. 341-347
Dec 17
EXAM 3
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