This course examines the prospects and limits of contemporary indigenous political movements. The emergence of the indigenous as a legal category and social movement has opened up new politics and debates about alternative forms of sovereignty and led to new rights-based claims to culture in many parts of the world. These movements also express concerns about the physical and cultural survival of their members, control over natural resources and protection of the environment, linguistic continuity, and political autonomy. Paradoxically, securing these rights requires movement and translation across cultural, political, and geographical boundaries. Strategic alliances with nongovernmental organizations, which have their own agendas, may result in significant compromises. Yet indigenous movements retain the capacity to introduce new ideas into the public domain in a compelling fashion, including alternatives to familiar forms of the state, science, and capital. Course requirements include a series of short writing assignments varying in length and style, some based solely on readings and discussions, others requiring independent research

Course Requirements:

Course requirements include a series of short writing assignments varying in length and style, some based solely on readings and discussions, others requiring independent research

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