NAIS 28 Native Americans and Sports

In this course, students will explore, through intensive research, writing, and discussion, important contemporary, historical, and cultural issues related to Native Americans and sports. From time immemorial, sports have been many different things to the Indigenous peoples of North America: sacred/religious activity, entertainment, a form of warfare, an opportunity for education/social mobility, and a vehicle for fame/celebrity. By learning about the deep connections Native Americans have to five sports - lacrosse, running, football, basketball, and "alternative" sports (skateboarding, golf, and mixed martial arts) - students will gain a more profound understanding of the Native American experience in North America. Students will gain a greater knowledge of the importance of sports for Native Americans across wide geographies and chronologies. Students will also learn how Native Americans' relationship to sports has changed over time. Most importantly, students will engage in a significant research project on a topic of their choosing related to Native Americans and sports.

Degree Requirement Attributes

Dist:SOC; WCult:NW

The Timetable of Class Meetings contains the most up-to-date information about a course. It includes not only the meeting time and instructor, but also its official distributive and/or world culture designation. This information supersedes any information you may see elsewhere, to include what may appear in this ORC/Catalog or on a department/program website. Note that course attributes may change term to term therefore those in effect are those (only) during the term in which you enroll in the course.