ANTH 216(F) Native Peoples of Latin America*

This course explores the interface between Latin American indigenous peoples and colonial projects focused on the extraction of resources and the environment, such as mining and rubber tapping as well as tourism and the environmental movement. A series of recent articles and books focusing on indigenous peoples in Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, forms the core of the readings. We look at topics such as, the relationship between colonial projects and shamanic power, land reform and political activism, the role of indigenous reservations in nation building, and how indigenous forms of leadership and social organization shape and are shaped by environmental movement. Throughout, we develop points of contrast between indigenous and non-indigenous conceptualizations of flora and fauna, land, power and agency as well as ways in which they become defined within the sociology of the colonial encounter. Format: lectures, films, and class discussion. Requirements: regular class participation, class presentation, final paper. No prerequisites.

Hour:  OAKDALE