Module HIST2871: NATIVE AMERICANS AND MINORITY RIGHTS IN THE US, 1914-2000

Department: History

HIST2871: NATIVE AMERICANS AND MINORITY RIGHTS IN THE US, 1914-2000

Prerequisites

• A pass mark in at least ONE level one module in History.

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• To introduce students to an understanding of the twentieth century struggle for minority rights in the United States, focusing upon Native Americans, but also taking into account the African American Civil Rights movement of the mid-century decades, and the movement for gender equality.
• To acquaint students with recent trends in minority rights scholarship, notably decolonization theory and minority agency.

Content

• This module will trace the evolution of the Native American struggle for civil rights in the 20th century.
• Students will study the impact of federal policies such as the Indian Reorganization Act and Termination upon Native communities.
• In addition, students will explore and assess the emergence of an organized Native American self-determination movement, including the militant 'Red Power' ideology and the legislative battles of the later 20th century.
• The course will also examine the major civil rights struggles of African Americans and US women and demonstrate the impact of these movements upon Native activism.
• Thematic issues such as the growth of pan-Indianism, the struggle for religious freedom, and the presentation of racial minorities (African American and Native American) on celluloid will also be examined.

Learning Outcomes

• An understanding of the development and limitations of 'modern' civil rights movements.
• An understanding of the position of Native Americans in the present time.
• An appreciation of the influence of recent trends in Native and Minority scholarship.

• Subject specific skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/ModuleProformaMap/

• Key skills for this module can be viewed at: http://www.dur.ac.uk/history.internal/local/ModuleProformaMap/

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Student learning is facilitated by a combination of the following teaching methods:
• lectures to set the foundations for further study and to provide the basis for the acquisition of subject specific knowledge. Lectures provide a broad framework which defines individual module content, introducing students to themes, debates and interpretations. In this environment, students are given the opportunity to develop skills in listening, selective note-taking and reflection;
• seminars to allow students to present and critically reflect upon the acquired subject-specific knowledge, methodologies and theories, and to identify and debate a range of issues and differing opinions. The seminar is the forum in which students are given the opportunity to communicate ideas, jointly exploring themes and arguments. Seminars are structured to develop understanding and designed to maximise student participation related to prior independent preparation. Seminars give students the opportunity to develop oral communication skills, encourage critical and tolerant approaches to reasoned argument and historical discussion, build the students' ability to marshal historical evidence, and facilitate the development of the ability to summarise historical arguments, think in a rapidly changing environment and communicate in a persuasive and articulate manner, whilst recognising the value of working with others and, occasionally, towards shared goals.
• Assessment:
• Unseen Examinations test students' ability to work under pressure under timed conditions, to prepare for examinations and direct their own programme of revision and learning, and develop key time management skills. The unseen examination gives students the opportunity to develop relevant life skills such as the ability to produce coherent, reasoned and supported arguments under pressure. Students will be examined on subject specific knowledge;
• Summative essays remain a central component of assessment in history, due to the integrative high-order skills they develop. Essays allow students the opportunity to recognise, represent and critically reflect upon ideas, concepts and problems; students can demonstrate awareness of, and the ability to use and evaluate, a diverse range of resources and identify, represent and debate a range of subject-specific issues and opinions. Through the essay, students can synthesise information, adopt critical appraisals and develop reasoned argument based on individual research; they should be able to communicate ideas in writing, with clarity and coherence; and to show the ability to integrate and critically assess material from a wide range of sources.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

One or more short assignments submitted in writing or delivered orally in a group seminar context.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University