May be repeated once when topics vary. Fulfills a COAS Arts and Humanities, Traditions and Ideas distribution requirement and is on List A for the COAS Culture Studies requirement. This course will survey the main perspectives that have been brought to the study of myth in the twentieth century. The emphasis will be upon discovering what each method is able to reveal about the meaning and significance that myths have in specific societies. Illustrations will be drawn from classical Greek, Native North American, Pacific Island, and several other mythological traditions.
Main requirements are two papers and a brief presentation.
Reading load will be heavy. We explore some of the difficult and emotional issues surrounding the archaeology of Native Americans, archaeology and tourism, the protection of cultural heritage in times of war and political unrest, and the national and international efforts to address all of the above. This course provides an examination of the primary themes and materials of the federal law concerning Native American tribes and individuals. It devotes considerable attention to the historical development of law and policy in that area and to the present division of authority over Indian country among federal, state, and tribal governments. The course also includes discussion of hunting, fishing, and water rights and of the economic development of Indian lands.