Eastern Oregon University > Anthropology / Sociology > Native American Studies

Native American Studies

Program Objectives

The Native American Studies Minor integrates a wide variety of academic areas, including anthropology, history, political science, economics, business and law. The overall objective of the program is to increase the diversity of the EOU educational process. Students can complete their minors both on and off campus due to the diversity of offerings in both teaching areas. The minor will lead to a greater understanding of Native American peoples who have had significant roles in the history and tenure of North America. Knowledge of Native American people’s general and specific belief systems benefits EOU students in all fields of study. Awareness of their continuing political role in tribal, federal, state and local government activities enhances the overall knowledge of our students, including people in applied fields of study such as anthropology, education and business. It is also important for our students to recognize the U.S. Government’s federal trust responsibility toward treaty rights.

Learning Outcomes

Students, depending on the courses selected, will have the ability to:

  • Develop a general understanding of Native North American history.
  • Develop a general understanding of the diversity of North American Indian culture through an in depth consideration of different Tribes and Nations.
  • Provide an opportunity to explore North American Indian mythology and spiritual beliefs.
  • Provide an opportunity to discover how North American Indians have been affected by culture change.
  • Provide an opportunity to learn about the diversity of Native American governments.

Means of Assessment

To ensure that students meet the above program outcomes, they demonstrate proficiencies by means of the following (depending on the course): research papers, essays, in class exams (essays, short answers, objective questions), take-home exams, map quizzes, group projects, individual and group presentations, library skills assignments, critical autobiographies and oral histories, production and analysis of surveys, development of formal research proposals, ethnographic observations and field-based research, reaction papers, summaries/analysis papers based on reading, quizzes, formal debates, book reviews, literature reviews, and class participation and preparedness. Each assignment is assessed by means of specific evaluative criteria.

Minor Checksheet

Requirements for the Minor in Native American Studies

  1. A minimum of 30 graded credits at the “C-“ level or better with an over all GPA of 2.00.
  2. The above must include at least 20 graded credits in upper division.
  3. A minimum of 10 hours counting toward the minor must be completed at Eastern Oregon University.

Required courses:

ANTH 312 Native Peoples of North America (5)
HIST 483 History of Native Americans and the U.S. (5)
NAT 370 Native American Law (5)

Elective Courses:
ANTH 330 Ethnology of Hunters & Gatherers (2)
ANTH 360 Introduction to Archaeology and Prehistory (5)
ANTH 380 Native Peoples of Oregon (5)
ANTH 390 Public Archaeology (5)
BA 347 Workplace Diversity (3)
HIST 338 Comparing Frontier Cultures (5)
POLS 477 Gambling Policy (5)
NAT 401 Research (1-5)
NAT 405 Reading & Conference (1-5)
NAT 407 Seminar (1-5)
NAT 409 Practicum (1-10)
Other appropriate electives as approved by faculty.

Native American Course Descriptions

NAT 110 – Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 To 6.00
Discussion based course based on Native American cultures.

NAT 210 – Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 To 6.00
Discussion based course based on Native American cultures.

NAT 310 – Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 To 6.00
Discussion based course based on Native American cultures.

NAT 370 – Native American Law
Credits: 5.00
This course will survey the development of Native American Law in the United States. It will include a historical look at sovereignty issues along with the relationship of the Federal Government, State Governments and the various tribes in the areas of supremacy and jurisdiction in both civil law and criminal law. In addition recent developments in the area of gaming, self-determination, civil rights as well as religious rights will be examined. This course will give students the ability to evaluate how the culture of the U.S. has interacted with native peoples by looking at historical contexts, social paradigms and the legal system as it has evolved. Student must have at least sophomore standing to register for this course.

NAT 401 – Research
Credits: 1.00 to 5.00
Individual research project. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

NAT 405 – Reading & Conference
Credits: 1.00 to 5.00
Individualized study. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

NAT 407 – Seminar
Credits: 1.00 to 5.00
Seminar. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

NAT 409 – Practicum
Credits: 1.00 to 10.00
Supervised experience (while enrolled in college) designed to offer opportunity to explore career areas and learning situations through field placement that parallels one’s academic major. Student must have at least junior standing to register for this course.

NAT 410 – Selected Topics
Credits: 1.00 to 6.00
Discussion based course based on Native American cultures.