AIS 475a: Environmental Issues on Indigenous Homelands
NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to the syllabus as needed. If changes are made, you will be notified of the changes in class or by your university e-mail address.
Instructor
Clarita Lefthand-Begay
clarita@uw.edu
Acting Assistant Professor,
Department of American Indian Studies
University of Washington
Office: AIS Lounge
Office Hours:
- Tues 2-3pm or by appointment
Course Times and Location
Location: Smith 313 (SMI)
Time: Tues and Thurs from 3:30-5:20pm
Course Description
This class will consist of an interdisciplinary analysis of the environmental problems plaguing Indigenous communities in North America. The overarching goals of this course will include an examination of the U.S. policies relevant to protecting communities from environmental pollutants occurring on the homelands of Indigenous peoples, the health implications of exposure to contaminated ecosystems, and case studies that illustrate strategies for how indigenous communities are working to address these issues. It will also aim to build critical awareness about environmental problems. Students will be encouraged to work together to communicate environmental problems discussed in class.
Grading
To do well in this class, students must keep up with the reading, complete the writing assignments, participant and attend in class regularly.
| Item |
Percent of Grade |
| Paper | 30% |
| Bibliography | 25% |
| Attendance and participation | 20% |
| Journal | 10% |
| Presentation | 10% |
| Questions | 5% |
| Total | 100% |
Course Requirements and Grading
- Paper for class website: 10-15 pages (corrected on 1/07/15)
- Research topics and terms
- Simple outline
- Rough drafts
- Final drafts
- Annotated bibliography for all references
- Examples of citations
- 3-4 key references
- Attendance and participation:
- Attendance will be taken
- List of class goals and interest
- Questions for speakers
- Journals: ~1 page journal for each guest speaker
- Key points, what was most interesting to you and why, how do the topics discussed influence your career goals or perspective? Is there anything that you can do to create a positive change on this topic?
- Presentations: 20 min PowerPoint presentations. Develop 15-20 slides about the key points in your paper
Class Policies
- Attendance will be taken everyday. You can miss 2 classes without penalty. Class attendance is mandatory.
- Participation in class discussion is highly expected.
- No late homework will be accepted, but you can miss 1 assignment. Assignments are due at the beginning of class and no latter. You must print out your own work.
- If you put toward a strong effort on the presentations, you’ll get full credit.
- Be respectful of all speakers, and your colleagues.
- No texting, social media, emailing during class time.