The Intersection Between Laws and American Indian Life (Essay Sample)
this paper will demonstrate the student’s exploration of the intersection between laws and American Indian life from any period studied over the course of the semester. Each paper must
address the “task” and Outline prompts below, have a clear thesis statement, analysis, “So
What?” and conclusion.
Use “Settler Colonialism as Structure: A Framework for Comparative Studies of U.S. Race and Gender Formation” by Evelyn Nakano Glenn to support your claims in the “Historical Context”. Here is a link to this reading https://blackboard.learn.fresnostate.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-1821739-dt-content-rid-12844761_1/courses/AIS50-01-70901-2177/NakanoGlenn_Race.GenderFormation.pdf
Use “Bad Indians” and “All Our Relations” readings to support the “Body of the Paper”.
Use “Key Indian Laws and cases” reading to support your “So What?” Here is a link to this reading https://blackboard.learn.fresnostate.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-1839543-dt-content-rid-12890568_1/courses/AIS50-01-70901-2177/Churchill.Morris_KeyCasesLaws_SNA.pdf
Here is a guideline you can follow:
I. Introductory Paragraph: Introduce and explain your topic, noting any particular tribes you discuss and where they are situated geographically. Introduce one major
reading, including the author, that will be used in your paper, and clarify the main
arguments in the reading support your own topic of interest. End the introduction with
a thesis statement and mapping statement (two to three points that you will argue in
your paper to prove that your thesis is true).
II. Historical Context: In one paragraph, choose one reading from weeks 1 or 2 to
explain how the social construction of “the Indian” is a racial trope. Include an
explanation of the time period the social construction emerges, how “the Indian,” as a
racial trope, is related to your paper’s topic, and what you would argue is the impact
that the trope of “the Indian” has on the justice served to American Indians you
address in your paper.
III. Body of the Paper: Here, each of the points in the mapping statement are used as
topic sentences. The topic sentences serve as the first sentence of a new point of
analysis. Each of your body paragraphs will have at least one quotation from your
required readings to illustrate the author’s actual point of view and to support the
claims you make about their point.
IV. “So What?”: As a final argument, you will make one last point about the broader
importance of the topic of your paper. Consider explaining how and why the topics
you have covered matter to a larger audience of people. Make a few claims you
believe and explain why they are true to you and support these claims with quotes
from the reading.
V. Conclusion: Provide a brief synopsis of your paper’s main arguments and conclude
by paraphrasing your thesis and any additional final points you wish to make.
VI. Complete bibliography of readings quoted and paraphrased or referenced should be
the last page of your paper.