Law M586 - Seminar: Special Topics in CRS: Indigenous Peoples, Race, and American Law (Prof. Rolnick)

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This course will consider the position of indigenous peoples at the intersection of two distinct legal regimes – civil rights law and Indian law. Drawing on ideas from Critical Race Theory and federal Indian law, the course will consider questions such as: Are Native people a racial group, a political category, or both? How have Native people been legally and socially racialized? How do they fit into the larger American racial landscape? What impact does Indian racialization have on the political rights of Native nations? How does race function within Native communities? What do the concepts of sovereignty, self-determination and citizenship mean for indigenous peoples and how does this differ from their significance in other contexts?  The seminar will be limited to 16 students. Priority enrollment will be given to students in the following categories: (1) students enrolled in the JD/MA program in American Indian Studies, (2) students enrolled in the CRS specialization, and (3) students who have taken or are currently enrolled in either Critical Race Theory (Law 266) or Federal Indian Law I (Law M267).  Students will be expected to complete an independent research paper, which may satisfy the law school’s substantial writing requirement.  Weekly response papers and/or in-class student presentations may also be assigned.

Instructor consent required to enroll. Please email Professor Rolnick by July 17 if you would like to enroll.