Integrative essay

This is the essay assignment from the independent study. You can choose between this essay assignment and the alternative essay assignment. Choose one and complete it by 4/22. Be sure to read the essay instructions post as well.

Cultures Meet in the Americas: An Integrative Essay
This assignment requires you to consider the interaction between European American and Native American cultures. Specifically, you will try to determine whether these two very different cultures are compatible.

Now, in retrospect we know the consequences of this interaction, based on the historical record. One interpretation of that record suggests that Native American cultures were completely overwhelmed by European cultures. However, this interpretation is certainly an over-simplification. A visit to any reservation in the United States or to an urban Native American community--or a virtual visit to a Native American website, for that matter--would reveal that Native American cultures have not disappeared. In fact, many of these cultures are vibrant.

At the same time, however, any study of the power dynamics between Native American and European cultures would reveal that the Europeans have frequently dominated, at least on the large scale. The movement of the frontier line through the North American colonies and later across the nation was often determined by the ability of European Americans to overwhelm Native American opposition.

Whatever the reality of the interaction, the question remains: Given the proper circumstances, could traditional Native American cultures have co-existed alongside European American cultures, with both remaining relatively intact and viable?

As you respond to this question, you will want to address some of the fundamental characteristics of the two cultures, especially related to such basic issues as the relationship between the individual and the group, authority, economic systems, religious beliefs, and attitudes towards the natural environment.

Your Assignment: Write an essay of at least five paragraphs that presents your position on the above question in addition to your argument supporting that position. Be sure to build your argument using concrete examples taken from the online text, the online reader, and internet resources on contemporary Native American groups. Don't, for example, simply say that Native Americans respected the environment. Support this assertion with an example or two from a particular Native American culture. Your use of examples will help you to develop otherwise vague and nearly meaningless generalizations (such as "Native Americans respected the environment.")

You will need to deal in roughly equal proportion with both European and Native American cultures in order to build an effective argument to support your position.

Additional resources:
Resources:

Native American Anthology from University of Washington

Andrew Jackson message