2013 MNM 677 – Navajo SOFE Scope

This course will expose the student to the distinct culture, history, and current issues surrounding the Navajo Nation and provide each student with the opportunity to serve a nonprofit organization by preparing a final project that addresses identified needs of NPOs/NGOs on or near the Navajo Nation. In addition, students will be asked to critically analyze preconceptions and personal attitudes with regard to Native Americans and Native Culture(s). This course presents students with an overview of the pre-treaty and post-treaty history of the Diné and examines the internal and external influences that have shaped the current governance of this sovereign nation as well as the resulting cultural evolution and present-day realties of social and economic life on the Navajo Nation.

This experience provides a rare and unique opportunity for students to understand on a micro scale both the role and the need for the nonprofit organizations and services in Native places and with Native peoples, as well as to formulate theoretical and practical methods and/or solutions applicable to the current issues facing reservation Indians. Throughout the course, students will be asked to challenge their awareness and reflect upon the concepts of service, commitment and vocation in their own lives and the lives of others.

Students will be expected to initiate contact with a selected Navajo Nation NPO/NGO, with instructor approval, beginning in January 2013. This contact will be done with phone, email, and possibly Skype. The purpose is to establish a relationship with the organization and begin scoping, framing, the final project of the course for the student. While on the Navajo Nation, we will work to convene these organizations for a training conference with the agenda being developed from the student/organization relationships.

Preliminary Itinerary – Field Portion – TENTATIVE as of October 31, 2012:

Depart – Regis University, Saturday, April 6, 2013 (If flying to Denver, arrive 4/5)
Return – Regis University, Saturday April 13, 2013 (If flying out f/Denver, depart 4/14)
Travel from Denver to Navajo Nation will be via 7 and/or 10 passenger vans, depending on number of participants. We will likely be staying in the following communities:
Durango, Colorado – 1st travel night
Chinle, Arizona – Traditional and spiritual center for the Dine
Window Rock, Arizona - Seat of government for the Navajo Nation
Shiprock, Arizona and Farmington, New Mexico – Border towns

COST – in addition to tuition there is a $1400 charge for this course. The cost covers transportation, hotels, activities and some meals.

Instructors from Regis University:

Paul Alexander – Director, Institute on Common Good, palexand@regis.edu
Kurt Bartley – Director of Gift Planning, kbartley@regis.edu