Native American Cultures of California

Anthropology 20. Wed., 6:00-9:50 PM, Rm. 3102. Prof. Mark Hylkema (hylkemamark@fhda.edu).

(Photo by M. Hylkema 2014. Shamanic pictographs of the ancestral Esselen People in the mountains above Big Sur, Monterey County)

Course Description and Learning Objectives: California was home to the greatest population density of Native people in North America. A mosaic of tribal communities with distinctive lifeways- occupying all the various environmental settings of California collectively composed one of the world’s most diverse linguistic regions. Students in this class will review the development of this remarkable cultural diversity, and learn about aspects of ancestral origins, social organization, economics, arts, and technology and belief systems. There will be a special emphasis on the development of socially complex societies in the San Francisco Bay area, and traditional land management practices. Issues regarding historic and current relationships between federal and state government and Native American tribes and nations will be discussed. Students will also evaluate the nature of interactions between anthropologists and archaeologists in regards to how California Indians are perceived by social scientists and the public at large.

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Material Required: Text Books (more recent editions are acceptable); Anderson, Kat. Tending the Wild: Native American Knowledge and the

Management of California’s Natural Resources. Univ. of California Press. ISBN: 9780520248519

Sarris, Greg. Mabel McKay: Weaving the Dream. Univ. of California Press. ISBN: 9780520209688

Mayfield, Jefferson Thomas. Indian Summer: Traditional Life Among the Choinumne Indians of California’s San Joaquin Valley. Heyday Books, Berkeley. ISBN: 9781597140355

Road map of California. Available through AAA office, bookstores or elsewhere. Evaluation of Goals and Grading: Students successfully completing Anthropology 20 can expect to: Understand the diversity and origins of cultures and lifeways composing the

California Culture Area. Develop an awareness of Native American land management practices and the

spiritual connections between California’s ancestral people and their environments.

Achieve a familiarity with the associations between Native California Indians and the academic worlds of social scientists studying their cultures; and similarly, become familiar with the historic relationship between state and federal governments.

Become conversant about public perceptions of California Indians and the affects of ethnocentricity on contemporary tribal communities.

Final course grades will be determined by an accumulated points system where classroom participation in discussions and written assignments are measured as points earned. There are 1000 points possible, excluding extra credit opportunities. Accredited points are generated from: Attendance and Participation: each class session is worth 30 points. There are

eleven lecture sessions for a total value of 330 points. Attendance will be taken during each session and students missing two or more classes- or those with excessive late arrivals and early departures, will loose points and may be dropped or failed. Professor does track late arrivals and early departures- proper classroom participation is mandatory!

Three reaction papers are required, and each is valued at 110 points (for a total of 330 points). One will be based on the book “Indian Summer,” and the other paper will be focused on “Weaving the Dream” (see required texts above). A third paper will be based on assigned questions derived from the text “Tending the Wild.” Students will read the texts and interpret the contents of each book, while also enhancing the dialogue with personal insights gained from other readings (with citations noted) in order to present thoughtful and insightful written summaries. The three papers must each equal four double-spaced printed pages, and are due on specific scheduled dates (see course schedule below). Papers are

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due at the start of class on the dates of their assigned deadlines- grade points will be deducted for late papers. Plagiarism will lead to dismissal of the paper submittal and loss of points.

Comprehensive Final Exam valued at 300 points. Questions will be multiple choice and lecture notes will be allowed for reference... so it is highly recommended that students bring a dedicated note book and take very good notes…no electronic devices will be allowed to be on or in use during the final exam.

Field Workshop: A visit to a local place of significance to the ancestral world of the Ohlone people will be scheduled by consensus. For those who cannot join on the scheduled date, an alternative option will be offered to do a project in the archaeology lab on campus. Either way, the workshop is valued at 40 points.

Several options for Extra Credit may be offered. Each option is valued at 25 points. Extra Credit is at the instructor’s discretion and is not a student right.

Anthro 20 Grade Point Spread:

Grade Points Result A 1000-900 B 899-800 C 799-700 D 699-600 F 599-000

Laptops, cell phones, and other electronic devices must be powered off during lecture or points will be deducted- unless otherwise permitted by the Instructor (e.g., for those students needing assisted technology). The instructor will be available for student consultation from 5 PM to 6 PM prior to the start of class, or by email: hylkemamark@fhda.edu. Students with Special Needs: Students with disabilities and learning differences are recommended to consult

with the Campus Disability Resource Center and seek assistance. Please inform the instructor of any special needs that might require accommodation.

International Students and English Language learners are advised to seek assistance from the International Student Office in Room 1933 to see what services are available to you.

Dropping the Course: Anyone who does not attend classes during the first two weeks will automatically be dropped from the course; however, after that date it is up to the student to personally drop the course within the prescribed time allowed for that action. Otherwise a failing grade will be issued at the end of the quarter.

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Calendar of Course Sessions & Required Readings: Students should anticipate dedicating sufficient time to read the text book assignments and handouts listed in the chart below. Students should maintain a record of notes from the readings- these notes may be used during the Final Exam. Assignments follow at the end of each session. Date (Session #) Topic Assignments 9/23 1) Coyote’s Time: Paleo Indians, Archaeologists and

Anthropologists. Culture Regions and geomorphic provinces of California. DVD- ISHI the Last Yahi (speaker).

Anderson: Pp. xv-xvii, xxvii-xxix, 1-61.

9/30 2) Northwest Culture Region: Yurok, Hupa and Karok. Sucking Doctors and Poisons, the rich and the poor. Salmon, Redwood Canoes and Plank houses. World Renewal religion.

Anderson: Pp. 125-208. Heizer Article. Wallace Article.

10/7 3) Northeast Culture Region: Shastan, Yahi, Yana, Modoc, Maidu. Captain Jack’s Modoc War. Readings from linguist Jaime de Angulo’s experience among the Achomawi and Atsugewi (Pitt River Tribes).

Anderson: Pp. 209-254. Bean and Vane Article.

10/14 4) North Coast Ranges & Sacramento Valley. Pomo, Yuki, Wailaki, Wintu, Nomlaki, Patwin. Kuksui, Hesi and Moki religions of the Great Roundhouse traditions.

Read: Weaving the Dream and write reaction paper # 1. Anderson: Pp. 255-305.

10/21 5) Central California, Sierra & Western Great Basin. Ohlone, Miwok, Yokuts, Mono, Washoe and Paiutes. The Bole Maru Ghost Dance Religions. DVD- Breaking New Ground.

Reaction Paper # 1 Due Dowdall and Parrish article. Read: Indian Summer and write reaction paper # 2.

10/28 6) South Coast Ranges and Colorado River Desert Region. Salinan, Esselen, Chumash, Cahuilla. Toloache and vision seeking. The Brotherhood of the Tomol. DVD- Return to Limuw

Article: Games and Toys of Native California. Article: California Watercraft.

11/4 7) San Francisco Bay Area through deep time: Power point show of California archaeology and prehistory. Readings from California Indian creation stories. DVD- From the Roots

Reaction Paper # 2 Due. Readings to be provided.

11/11 8) Baskets, cordage and plant use among Central California tribes: Guest Presentation by Naturalist Marianne Schoenfisch.

Readings to be Provided.

11/18 9) First European contacts. Spanish colonialism and the Mission system. Readings from the Diaries and Journals of the first explorers. Spanish to Mexican Government transformations- the Californio period.

Anderson Pp. 62-121. Write reaction Paper # 3.

11/25 10) No Class. Independent study projects. To be determined… 12/2 11) Gold Rush, slavery and Genocide: the American Period.

Tribal land claims and revitalization. ISHI returned DVD. Review for Final Exam

Reaction Paper # 3 Due

12/9 (12) Last thoughts, Final Exam.

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Map of California Culture Area (Handbook of North American Indians, Volume 8, 1978. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC).

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