REL-310 American Indian Spirituality and Worldviews

Course Overview

A general introduction to American Indian spiritual worldviews with attention given to practices of specific nations in North, Central, and South America. This course surveys what is shared by native peoples with those outside of their tribe and aims to cultivate respect for the ownership, practice, and control indigenous people have of their spiritual traditions. Particular attention is given to the impact of European contact with American Indian nations and the continued struggle for American Indian sovereignty. Visits to the National Museum of the American Indian and other experiential learning activities are incorporated into this class, with the assistance of native peoples, to better understand their experience and worldviews.