In this paper, students will identify one or two theoretical, practical, and/or “content” issues that have come
up in readings and discussions about the representation (or misrepresentation) of Native American History in
the public sphere, and they will examine their chosen issue(s) through an analysis of an extant public history
project (or projects), which ideally, they have some familiarity with from their past or present circumstances.
In simple terms: analyze how one or two theoretical/practical/content issues discussed in class or the readings come up in real-life
public history projects in your midst—past or present—that incorporate (or which perhaps do not incorporate) Natives histories.
The projects(s) being analyzed in your paper might be: a museum, art, or other exhibit; a digital history (or
other) collection; a documentary film; a feature film; an educational project; a school curriculum; a school
mascot; a monument; etc. To be clear, it is perfectly reasonable to discuss the ABSENCE of Native histories
and peoples within the example of public history that you have chosen to analyze.
Note: I realize that before this class, you may not have been attuned to examples of (or the absence of) Native American history
in your surroundings. Therefore, if you can’t draw on past experience for the purposes of this paper, please treat this as an
invitation to explore/search for/find an example you can use.
