This interdisciplinary course considers in depth some important issues and problems concerning interactions with Native North Americans past and present. Topics include traditional cultures and cycle of life as well as interactions with non-Natives from the 17th century to today. We will focus on several case studies of such interactions. Examples include (but are not limited to): 1) King Philip’s War (1675-1678). In proportion to population, this vicious conflict inflicted greater casualties than any other war in American history. 2) 19th-century wars between the Lakota and the United States and their aftermath. 3) Reinvention of the Mashantucket Pequots and the creation of Foxwoods. 4) James Bay Cree struggles over land and sovereignty in the Canadian Subarctic (northern Quebec).
Foundations Program
This course fulfills the Forum requirement in the Foundations Program.