Learning Resources

Required Readings

Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues/DSPD/DESA. (2008). Resource kit on indigenous peoples’ issues. New
York, NY: United Nations. Retrieved November 12, 2008, from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/resource_kit_indigenous_2008.
pdf

Resource Kit on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues by Secretariat of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, copyright 2008 United Nations. Reprinted with the permission of the United Nations.

This Resource Kit focuses on a cooperative and participatory relationship with indigenous groups around the world in their development and protection.

United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. (n.d.) Who are
indigenous peoples?. Retrieved April 21, 2015, from http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/documents/5ses…

From ‘Who are Indigenous Peoples?’ by United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, © United Nations. Reprinted with the permission of the United Nations.

This brief factsheet provides basic current data regarding indigenous groups, in general.

Document: Anthropological Perspectives Checklist (Word document)
This document provides a context for this week’s topic.

Document: Final Project Guidelines (PDF)
This document outlines the requirements for the Final Project, due in Week 5.

Required Media

Laureate Education (Producer). (2015). Anthropological perspectives [Interactive media]. Baltimore, MD: Author.

To prepare for this Discussion:
Review pages 7–9 of the United Nations Resource Kit on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues article in the Learning Resources.
Review the Anthropological Perspectives Checklist provided in the Learning Resources. Consider the five perspectives and how they impact the study of other cultures.
Review the article, “Who Are Indigenous Peoples?” located in this week’s Resources.
Think about your current understanding of the term indigenous.
Identify any challenges in crafting a comprehensive definition or characterization of indigenous peoples.
With these thoughts in mind:
By Day 3
Post one paragraph in which you define indigenous peoples based on your current understanding. In a second paragraph, examine the potential problems in defining indigenous peoples. Consider the five anthropological perspectives and analyze the role you might choose if you were studying another culture: reformer, critic, scientist, humanist, or cosmopolite. Which perspective would you chose? Explain your reasoning for this selection.
Be sure to support your ideas by connecting them to the week’s Learning Resources, or something you have read, heard, seen, or experienced.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
By Day 5
Respond to at least two of your colleagues’ postings that contain an anthropological perspective other than yours. Compare the anthropological perspective discussed by your classmates to the one you selected.
Explain how your colleagues’ perspectives do either of the following:Align with or complement your perspective.

Contrast with or are in opposition to your perspective.