Federal Indian Law 354-1I

The principal focus of this course is to introduce students to the important and unique body of law known as Indian Law.  Topics to be covered include the history of federal Indian law and policy, the federal-tribal relationship, tribal sovereignty, and self-government, state authority in Indian country, Indian religion and culture, concepts of property in Indian law, and hunting, fishing, and water rights.

Emphasis will be placed not only on the reading and understanding of cases and statutes, but also on the larger forces including history, culture, and the formation of policy.  The course will further examine the pressing and unresolved frontier Indian law questions and policy issues that continue to exist throughout Indian country.  In addition, the course is rife with questions about sovereignty and the response to law to >difference=, as well as moral and ethical issues concerning the role of law in dealing with indigenous people in modern constitutional democracy.

Class discussions will focus on the major developments and cases, although students should be  prepared to discuss all the assigned material including the materials outside the text.  These materials are particularly important to complement, to highlight, and to deepen the perspective of the textual materials. Preparation and class discussion are critical to the success of the course.