American Indian tribes play a significant role in the contemporary American political system. This is true at the national, state, and local levels. From a historical perspective, interactions between tribes and settler governments also shaped many of the governing institutions in the United States. This class examines the influence of American Indian tribes and their evolving relationship with federal and state governments. Issues and concepts covered include colonization, economic development, resource and environment, tribal sovereignty, assimilation, stereotypes, and American political development. This class is both focused on historical change and contemporary issues.