Course Description
The Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Northwest Ordinance, and Constitution establish several types of sovereignty in the United States, including the status of Native Tribes. Analysis of these documents reveals crucial aspects of tribal sovereignty and American history from 1763-1814 when Native American politics left indelible marks on the United States.
Athena Title
Native American Founding Docs
Pre or Corequisite
RELI(NAMS) 1100 or NAMS 4000/6000 or HIST 2111 or HIST 2111E or HIST 2111H or HIST 2112 or HIST 2112E or HIST 2112H or HIST 3050 or HIST 3051 or HIST 3051H or HIST 3055H or JURI 2990-2990D or JURI 3233-3200D or JURI 3233E
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student Learning Outcomes
- By the end of this course, students will be able to illuminate the role of Native Americans in the creation of the United States and a Native American-focused history of the American Revolution and Early Republic.
Topical Outline
- Weeks 1-2: Filling Voids on the Map of North America: Indian Country in the years between the Seven Years' War and the American Revolution
- Weeks 3-4: British and French Indian Allies and Traditional Native American Rivals and Enemies
- Week 5: Enlightenment Problems; Sovereignty vs. Independence; Treatying and the New Sovereignty
- Week 6: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Native Enemies; The Declaration of Independence and Native American Nations
- Week 7: Tensions Over Nationhood; The Articles of Confederation and Native American Political formations before the U.S. Constitution
- Weeks 8-9: People of the Northwest Territory; Native American Power, the Northwest Ordinance, and the U.S. Constitution
- Week 10: The Constitution and Imperial Aspirations vs. Native American Alliances and Consensus Leadership
- Week 11: The Supremacy Clause, Commerce Clause, and Tribal Sovereignty
- Weeks 12-13: Democracy and Native American Nations
- Weeks 13-14: Native America in the Early Republic
- Weeks 15-16: Native America is America
