LAW401

This course introduces law students to major topics in "federal Indian law," an area of law that includes the study of the U.S. federal statutes and case law that impact Indigenous Nations, communities, and individuals within the U.S. The course provides student with a foundation for discussing the federal trust responsibility toward recognized and unrecognized Native American Nations. Professor Cordero will bring in the California Indigenous experience with readings, lectures, and discussion. Additional content includes topics such as Indigenous sovereignty; land rights; return and co-management of land and resources; treaty rights; religious freedom; the civil rights of Native individuals living in and outside of tribal areas; and identity. This course is not a survey course. The course will be co-taught by Professor Jo Carrillo and Professor Jonathan Cordero, Ph.D., President of the Ramaytush Ohlone Association. Visitors from Indigenous communities will join us when relevant. Students should be willing to work in subgroups in class on a semester long project of drafting a Ramaytush Ohlone land acknowledgment that UC Hastings can affix in the main foyer area. No prior familiarity with U.S. or California history, Indigenous communities, or federal Indian law is required to participate in the class. Grades will be determined on the basis of: (i) attendance; (ii) class participation; (iii) an end of term group presentation involving a proposed land acknowledgment, and; (iv) an anonymously graded exam that is at least 50% of the grade.