HIST 427

This course examines the relationship Indigenous people have had with alcohol and tobacco in the contexts of both the history of settler colonial oppression and the story of Indigenous cultural and political resurgence. Students investigate the trauma-inducing effects of alcohol and commercial tobacco on Indigenous societies while also recognizing the powerfully positive role that Indigenous tobacco has played, and continues to play, in many Indigenous people’s spirituality and ceremony. Taking an intersectional approach to Indigenous societies, and being sensitive to Indigenous agency, this course shows not only how Indigenous people were impacted by alcohol and colonial tobacco, but how understandings and responses to these substances have changed over time. -- Prerequisite -- 9 credits of lower-level history and one 300-level history course. HIST 103, HIST 227, or HIST 327 is strongly recommended. -- Corequisite -- None. -- Pre or Corequisite -- None.