This course surveys the traditional and modern forms of various Indian tribal governments through the review of tribal constitutions, tribal codes, and tribal and federal court decisions in addition to the text. The class will engage in comparing tribal legal and governmental systems with the American systems of government and legal thought both directly and indirectly. The course will also expose students to those aspects of tribal courts and other tribal dispute resolution mechanisms that are different from the traditional Anglo-American model.

            The text for this course is Sharon O’Brien’s Tribal Government. The class will survey the traditional and modern forms of government of at least five different tribes using different forms of tribal government today. Handout materials will more than likely be posted directly on our class web-site which can be accessed through www.utulsa.edu/law/classes/rice.  The site is still under construction, as I will be uploading materials from time to time.

            Grades: Your grade will be based upon your class attendance, preparation, and participation as well as your performance on graded class work. After three absences or days on which you are not prepared to participate meaningfully in the class discussions, I reserve the option of reducing your grade in the class. You will be assigned (or select with my approval) one Tribe on which to provide a major report in class. You will be assigned at least one group project during the semester. These report(s) / project(s) will be worth forty (40) points toward your class grade. The other sixty (60) points of your grade will be earned on the take-home final examination. Active classroom participation is required.

            I have given you my phone numbers and e-mail addresses above so that you can contact me when and if you need to. You may, and are encouraged, to call me whenever you wish. Please feel free to contact me at home if you want to discuss anything with me.