Office of the Registrar

The Office of the Registrar is located at 105 Heth Hall on the main campus. The Office of the Registrar is located on the 4th Floor, Suite 417-419 at Radford University Carilion in Roanoke.

1 / 2

Registration is open for fall 2024 classes. »

2 / 2

Anthropological Sciences 105

I. Course Title: Native North America (GE)

II. Course Number: ANSC 105

III. Credit Hours: 3 credits

IV. Prerequisites: None

V. Course Description:

This course will explore the cultures of Native North America from an anthropological perspective. Students will engage with the archaeological data that document the arrive of humans in North America and the development of complex regional cultures across the continent. Together we will grapple with the history and consequences of European colonization on Native American cultures. Through cultural ethnographies, we will examine outsider perspectives on Native, and we will read indigenous sources to hear from both past and present Native voices. By the end of the course, students will have a multifaceted understanding of Native North America.

Note(s): General Education and Humanistic or Artistic Expression designated course.

VI. Detailed Description of Content of the Course:

1. An Anthropological Perspective

To start the course, student will be introduced to the concepts and methods of anthropology and how they are used to study cultures. We will particularly focus on emic and etic views of culture that note how insiders and outsiders have differing perspectives of cultural groups.

2. The Archaeology of Native North America

In this unit students will survey the archaeological data for Native North American cultures. Evidence for earliest inhabitants of the continent will be considered, along with the development of distinct culture areas in the Pacific Northwest, Desert Southwest, Great Plains, and the Mississippi river basin.

3. Contact, Conquest, and Colonialism

Native American cultures underwent drastic trauma and change as a result of European contact. Students will explore engage with historic accounts from indigenous and settler perspectives to better understand the turbulent relationship between both cultural groups.

4. Ethnographic Perspectives on Native North America

Starting in the late 19th century, anthropologists began to attempt to document Native American cultures. Students will read examples of the resulting ethnographic depictions of Native culture and review this history of Native American anthropology. Conflicts between how anthropologists, as outsiders, have depicted Native American culture will be considered.

5. Native Voices

Native voices are often underemphasized in anthropological discourse, so this class will close with a special emphasis on indigenous authors, producers, and activists. Students will hear from native voices on a variety of topics and seek to understand Native North American in contemporary society.

VI. Detailed Description of Conduct of Course:

This course will include a combination of original source readings, lectures, and discussions to lay the foundations of an anthropological understanding of Native American culture. Students may describe what they have learned through written exercises, quizzes, and exams. And, students may engage in active learning exercises as they seek to understand the role of Native North American cultures in contemporary American society.

VII. Goals and Objectives of the Course:

This course is designated as E (Humanistic or Artistic Expression) Area for the REAL Curriculum and fulfills the learning goal: To explore humanistic or artistic expression through inquiry or creativity. Students will fulfill the learning outcomes in this area: demonstrate understanding of diverse ideas, languages, products, or processes of humanistic inquiry or artistic expression and critically evaluate, synthesize, or create forms of human expression or inquiry.

This course may be applied to the REAL Studies Minor in Humanistic/Artistic Expression.

Goal of the Class:

Students will explore the cultural diversity of Native North American peoples over time and through significant cultural changes.

Learning Objectives:

Students will demonstrate an understanding of anthropological perspectives on different cultures.
Students will demonstrate an understanding of Native North American cultures and their diversity.
Student will be able to critically evaluate the differences between Native and non-Native voices when seeking to understand Native American cultures.

VIII. Assessment Measures:

Students may be evaluated on the basis of their performance in class discussions, examinations, papers, and/or oral presentations.

Review and Approval

August, 2020

August, 2021