AIS637A

036429

This field-based research course focuses on some of the major issues Indigenous nations face as they seek to assert rights of self-determination in the 21st Century. It provides in-depth, hands-on exposure to Indigenous development issues, including: sovereignty, economic development, constitutional reform, leadership, health and social welfare, land and water rights, culture and language, religious freedom, and education. In particular, the course emphasizes problem definition, fieldwork relationships, and designing and completing a research project. This course is devoted primarily to preparation and presentation of a comprehensive research paper based on a field investigation. In addition to interdisciplinary faculty presentations on topics such as field research methods and problem definition, students will make presentations on their work-in-progress and findings.

Typically, teams of two will complete projects, students will select research topics from projects requested by Native nations, First Nations, and related Indigenous organizations. These clients typically seek assistance on a wide range of matters, and the Nation Building II research reports are intended to be useful to the requesting organizations. Students are provided the opportunity to visit with their sponsoring organizations, in order to determine feasible and valuable approaches to the problems at hand. Class meetings are conducted in a workshop setting, with students participating in a team setting to support the production of high-quality research results and presentations. The form and format of the required research reports are not restricted to 'term paper' format. Reports can include multi-media presentations and other innovative approaches designed to maximize the communication and effectiveness of the students' work. In addition to the final research report, each team of students is required to make a public, in-class presentation of its final report.

GRD - Regular Grades A, B, C, D, E

Graduate

CE - CL (Cross Listed), GIDP - AIS (American Indian Studies)