International Indigenous Rights

SLN #: 26507
Course Prefix: LAW-719
Course Section: 001
Credit Hours: 2
Instructor(s): Tsosie
Course Books: View List of Books

Course Description:
This course focuses on the international law and comparative law dimensions of protecting the rights of indigenous peoples. We will study the framework for international human rights law through structures such as the United Nations and the Organization of American States, and the various conventions and treaties that govern international human rights. We will focus on the norms of international human rights law that underlie concepts such as self-determination and cultural survival, and examine their use by indigenous groups in contemporary actions in international forums. We will then look at the law of New Zealand, Australia and Canada to examine the legal rights and status of Native peoples in those countries. We will compare those legal structures to that which exists within the United States by evaluating the treatment of indigenous rights to land, resources, and aspects of culture, such as language and cultural property.

This is a graded seminar. There is a take-home writing assignment and a 15 page research paper. Students wishing to complete their Graduation Writing requirement will be allowed to enroll in a one credit independent study. Attendance is mandatory.

Additional Information:
Credit Hours: 2
Grading Option: Letter Grade Only
Written Assignment: Yes, take-home assignment AND a research paper
Graduation Writing Requirement: Yes, With Instructor's Approval*
Flexible/Upper-Level Writing Requirement: Yes*
Skills Requirement: No
Simulation Course: No
Note: Only one of the above listed requirements can be fulfilled with this course.
Experiential Learning: No
Seminar: No
Special Withdrawal Course: No
Limited Enrollment Number: 15
Final Exam Given: No
Paper Or In-Class Presentation: Yes
Participation Points: Yes
Attendance Policy: Per Statement Of Student Policies
Additional Attendance Policy: Attendance is mandatory, no more than 2 absences are allowed.

* The law school has a policy that is used to calculate credit hours. Please see the Statement of Student Policies.