San Diego State University History Decolonization Case Study – Description
Final Project: Decolonization Case Study
Due Date: any time in Module 6 before 11:59 pm on Sunday, July 2
Overview and Details: At the beginning of the semester, we participated in the “Land Mapping” exercise to become familiar with whose ancestral lands our hometowns and our campus occupies. We learned more about the importance of land acknowledgement as a first step in not only digging deeper into US History from an American Indian perspective, but also becoming more aware of the local history of the very places as well the continued presence and relationship with lands that Native Nations have today. As we moved through our course materials, we saw the effects of colonization throughout US history as well as the ways Native Nations have actively resisted. For our final project, we will bring our course “full circle” be investigating modern decolonization efforts through the ways Native Nations are exercising their sovereignty, protecting their homelands, revitalizing their cultures, and pushing against myths and erasure. You will do a “Case Study” or select an example of modern-day decolonization efforts.
Learning Goals: Through this project, we will experience firsthand how the past shapes the present as we create interesting, personally meaningful research projects on an example of modern-day decolonization. We will become more personally invested in our learning experience as we actively practice and apply historical thinking, engage with multiple perspectives and think critically about how historical narratives are created, reflect on our own experiences along the way, and showcase what we’ve learned throughout the course. By working together in groups, we will build more classroom community and connection while we learn more about ongoing decolonization efforts of Native Nations today.
Directions: You are welcome to work independently or work together in groups of 2, 3, or 4 maximum. You will select 1 modern day example of decolonization to investigate. One project and annotated bibliography will be submitted to complete the assignment. If working with partners, 1 project will be submitted by the “Group Leader” on behalf of the entire group.
After your group has selected your example of modern-day decolonization, please research more about the event itself as well as its historical/cultural context:
1) Describe the example of modern-day decolonization you selected
2) Provide thorough historical context: what the example of decolonization is in response to, the Native Nation’s unique history, how the decolonization efforts emerged, etc.
3) Connect to specific events/examples from our textbook for support and/or historical context
4) Connect to at least 3 of our topics covered within Modules 1-6
5) Analyze your findings using at least 3 of our key terms covered within Modules 1-6
6) Connect to the “Danger of a Single Story.”
7) Explain how the example you selected is an act of “decolonization.” Reflect on the significance of the modern-day example you selected based on what we’ve learned this semester and how it shows the ways Native Nations are exercising their sovereignty, protecting their homelands, revitalizing their cultures, and/or pushing against myths and erasure
8) Lastly, create an MLA formatted annotated bibliography showcasing the research you and/or your group participated in.
Group Details: It is preferred that you work in groups of 2, 3, or 4 maximum, but you are welcome to work independently if you prefer. One project and annotated bibliography will be submitted on behalf of each group. Once you have your group established, you will select a group leader who will coordinate with group members and help organize tasks so that work is balanced between all group members. The group leader will also submit the project and annotated bibliography on behalf of the group. If you choose to work independently, you will be responsible for submitting your own project and annotated bibliography.
Format: You or your group group can showcase your findings in either essay format, PowerPoint, video, or any creative format you prefer. If you choose to present in PowerPoint format, please include a voice-over or video recording, as it ensures a stronger project. There is no length requirement, as long as your project clearly addresses all parts of the prompt. The more concise, the better! For example, essays should aim to be around ~5 pages and videos/presentations should aim to be around ~5 minutes. In addition to your presentation/essay, an MLA formatted annotated bibliography showcasing the sources you used for research will be submitted. Only 1 submission required per group (with all names of group members included.)
Key Terms: context, historical thinking, colonization, decolonization, firsting and lasting, doctrine of discovery, manifest destiny, assimilation, environmental justice, self-determination, sovereignty
Potential Topics: Here is a list of topics that might be of interest or offer inspiration. However, you are not limited to this list! If your group has another idea, please email me for approval! Consider an example of Native art/film, language revitalization efforts, cultural revitalization efforts, recent protests or court cases, decolonizing curriculum, etc.
Standing Rock: A New Moment for Native American RightsLinks to an external site.
Mauna Kea Protests Aren’t NewLinks to an external site.
Young Kumeyaay Women Lead Protests Against Border WallLinks to an external site.
Skid Row’s Indian Alley Adorned with Native MuralsLinks to an external site.
Change the MascotLinks to an external site.
Boarding School HealingLinks to an external site.
East Bay Ohlone Tribe Looks to Future as Oakland Announces Land Back PlanLinks to an external site.
Indian Welfare Act (Haaland v. Brackeen)Links to an external site.
White Mountain Apache Cafe Opens for BusinessLinks to an external site.
Gidimt’en Checkpoint Links to an external site.
Tiny House WarriorsLinks to an external site.
Fairy Creek Blockade Links to an external site.
Stop Line 3Links to an external site.
Giniw CollectiveLinks to an external site.
Indigenous Environmental Network Links to an external site.
NDN CollectiveLinks to an external site.
TonatierraLinks to an external site.
American Indian Law Alliance Links to an external site.
Mazaska TalksLinks to an external site.
Last Real IndiansLinks to an external site.
The Red NationLinks to an external site.
Pueblo Action AllianceLinks to an external site.
Frack Off ChacoLinks to an external site.
Utah Dine Bikeyah – Protect Bears EarsLinks to an external site.
Project 562Links to an external site.
Project Ideas: Feel free to use the following questions as inspiration to guide your project/research.
Describe the example you selected as if explaining it to someone who is completely unfamiliar. Then provide historical context for the example you selected: what the example of decolonization is in response to, the Native Nation’s unique history, how the decolonization efforts emerged, etc. Next, carefully explain how your case study is an example of decolonization. How does your example connect to at least 3 topics from our Module materials? How does your example connect to or build off of the history we learned in our textbook? How does your example connect to at least 3 key terms we’ve covered this semester? How does it connect our course theme of the “Danger of a Single Story”? What is the significance of a closer examination of the example you selected in context of our course materials? How does the example you selected show the ways Native Nations are exercising their sovereignty, protecting their homelands, revitalizing their cultures, and/or pushing against myths and erasure?
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