Anth 4309/6309 Indigenous Rights

Spring 2008 Fondren Science 155 Tuesday and Thursday 3:30 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.

Prof. Robert V. Kemper Office: 405 Heroy phone: 214-768-2928 email: rkemper@smu.edu

Syllabus

Course Description: This course will focus on indigenous rights in the contemporary world. Students will encounter indigenous peoples from all parts of the world. The course will begin with a review of key concepts related to human rights, culture, and cultures and then we will turn our attention to the indigenous peoples in the world, past and present. Then we will examine major themes within the domain of indigenous rights, including: Territory and Natural Resources; Cultural Heritage; Language and Literacy; Political Representation, Autonomy, and Self-determination; Education; Women and Children; Intellectual Property Rights, and Freedom of Spirituality and Religion; and. The course also will examine the role of diverse organizations (e.g., the United Nations and its agencies; NGOs, and worldwide indigenous assemblies) concerned with indigenous rights. Finally, the course will consider the impact of large-scale government development programs and global tourism on indigenous societies.

Required Texts:

Champagne, Duane, Karen Jo Torjesen, and Susan Steiner (eds). (2005). Indigenous Peoples and the Modern State. Walnut Creek, CA: AltaMira Press.

Dean, Bartholomew and Jerome M. Levi (eds). (2003). At the Risk of Being Heard: Identity, Indigenous Rights, and Postcolonial States. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press.

Recommended Readings:

International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs [compiled and edited by Sille Stidsen]. (2007). The Indigenous World 2007. Copenhagen: IWGIA.

Mander, Jerry, Victoria Tauli-Curpuz (eds). (2006). Paradigm Wars: Indigenous Peoples’ Resistance to Globalization. San Francisco: Sierra Club Books.

Nash, June C. (2001). Mayan Visions: The Quest for Autonomy in an Age of Globalization. New York: Routledge.

Other required (and recommended) readings will be assigned from U.N. documents, publications available from Cultural Survival, Inc., publications available from the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), and similar organizations.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

Examinations: An open-book and open-notes in-class midterm examination will combine objective and essay questions. The final examination will involve a take-home essay format (2 of 3 questions).

Student Team Presentations: In lieu of doing individual student papers, all students will form themselves into teams (typically 3-4 members) for the purpose of presenting and sharing oral and written reports. The oral presentations (15-20 minutes in PowerPoint™ format) will be presented on the penultimate day of class. The written reports (approx. 20 pp. double-spaced typed) will be due at the time of the final examination. These reports will be based on regions/countries discussed in the IWGIA Indigenous World annual report for 2007.

Map Quiz: On Tuesday, 29 January 2008, a closed-book and closed-notes map quiz will be administered. Items to be located will include indigenous groups to be discussed during the semester, as well as the countries/regions in which they reside. A study guide will be provided on the course web site and will be available from the first day of class. (See the Study Guide for the Map Quiz.)

Videos: Students will view four videos in class, with group discussion following. All videos will be accompanied by objective-style quizzes (to be done simultaneously with the viewing).

RELATED ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS:

The SMU Student “Code of Conduct”

Students are expected to abide by the SMU Code of Conduct in all matters related to this course, including work inside and outside of the classroom. For details, please see http://www.smu.edu/studentlife/PCL_03_Conduct_Code.asp

Policy on Make-ups, Lateness, and Attendance:

Students are expected to attend all class sessions. If you will not be able to attend a specific session, you must make arrangements with another student to get copies of notes, etc. Assignments must be turned in on time; for each 24-hour period an assignment is late, one full grade will be deducted (e.g., an “A” paper will become a “B” paper). Appropriate medical and family excuses will be accepted in order to establish new dates for assignments. Make-ups for the Final Examination will require substantial justification.

Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities

Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activity will be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up the work. (University Undergraduate Catalogue)

Altschuler Learning Enhancement Center

Students who require extra assistance with writing, reading, or test-taking should consult the Altschuler Learning Enhancement Center staff. For details, please see http://www.smu.edu/alec/home/

Disability Accommodations

Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Ms. Rebecca Marin, Coordinator, Services for Students with Disabilities (214-768-4557) to verify the disability and establish eligibility for accommodations. They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements. (See University Policy No. 2.4.) Please see http://www.smu.edu/studentlife/OSSD_Facts.asp

Religious Observances

Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing at the beginning of the semester, and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. (See University Policy No. 1.9.)