Category: American Indian Studies

Show how a current issue is connected to the past.
Provide an overview of the current issue and how it is connected to past events, laws, or policies.
To choose a topic, I’d review the readings throughout the course and see if a particular issue was interesting to you. Also, I’d recommend doing some online news reading to familiarize yourself with recent or current issues in the Native community. I recommend visiting online sources like Indian Country Today, Native News Online, and News from Native California.
The essay should reference 5-7 sources, and I’d recommend considering both academic and non-academic resources. Must cite our class textbook: Stephen L. Pevar’s The Rights of Indians and Tribes
Size 12 Times New Roman/Garamond
Double-spaced
Citations required; any citation format is acceptable
No cover page is required
Works cited page

Research Paper Final Draft Overview
The final draft of your 10-12-page research paper should expand and refine the content from your first draft based on feedback. The final paper must build on your first draft and include:
Comprehensive revisions based on my feedback of your first draft
Expanded introduction with background on your focused research question/topic and a clearly-worded, nuanced thesis statement reflecting the evidence-based argument/conclusion you have developed
Additional primary source evidence and analysis through body paragraphs tied directly back to key elements of your thesis statement
Refined body section transitions and topic sentences that fluently guide the reader through your analysis
Expanded integration of academic secondary sources through quote/paraphrases and critical analysis of scholarly interpretations relevant to your research question and argument
Strong conclusion reiterating the significance of your primary source-based findings, connection to themes in American Indian histories, and suggestions for further research
Careful proofreading and correction of errors, citation issues, formatting problems etc.
Proper Chicago style formatting and citations for all primary and secondary sources referenced
Clean, professional presentation demonstrating advanced academic writing abilities
This final paper should exemplify your skills with designing and conducting independent research at an upper division undergraduate level including:
Forming a historical research question,
Compiling and critically analyzing relevant primary source materials,
Situating and advancing your original interpretations within academic literature, and
Concluding with insights that expand disciplinary and community knowledge related to your chosen topic.
Please schedule a meeting with me in advance if you need any assistance with revisions or polishing this culminating assignment. I look forward to reading your papers and am excited to learn from you based on the research that you’ll be doing this semester. 
Research Paper Grading Rubric
Exceeds Expectations (90-100%) Meets Expectations (80-89%) Approaches Expectations (70-79%) Fails to Meet Expectations (69% or lower)
Introduction (15%)
Exceeds: A poignant and interesting introduction supporting a nuanced thesis and reflecting in-depth analysis; context and significance clearly explained. It is very clear to the reader what the paper will focus on and the stance that the author takes. 
Meets: A clear introduction supporting a solid thesis reflecting an adequate background analysis. It is sufficiently clear to the reader what the paper will focus on and the stances that the author will take.  
Approaches: Introduction lacks precision or clarity providing limited framing. The introduction needs more work because it is not clear to the reader what the paper will focus on or what stances the author will take. 
Fails: A confusing introduction that lacks articulation and background of research aims. 
Analysis and Source Integration (30%)
Exceeds: Primary and secondary source analysis demonstrates sophistication; seamlessly incorporates and scrutinizes scholarship.
Meets: Competent source analysis with ties to central argument; incorporates range of sources.
Approaches: Analyzes select sources too descriptively or lacking ties back to thesis; uneven integration of sources.
Fails: Research or analysis lacks sufficient depth or fails to support argument.
Conclusions and Implications (20%)
Exceeds: Insightfully articulates importance of findings and connections to the central themes of the paper.
Meets: Satisfactorily concludes and reiterates significance of central arguments.
Approaches: Recaps key points without elucidating significance of research contributions.
Fails: Conclusion lacks connections to arguments or reflects incomplete analysis.
Structure, Transitions, and Formatting (20%)
Exceeds: Logically structured sections support advanced historical analysis; elegant transitions. No or very minor grammatical errors. 
Meets: Clear structure and topic sentences aid flow; few formatting issues. Some grammatical errors. 
Approaches: Organization issues challenge paper flow; multiple formatting issues. Significant grammatical errors. 
Fails: Lack of paragraph structure impedes readability. Extreme grammatical errors. 
Chicago Style Source Citation (15%)
Exceeds: Properly cites all sources; formatting exceeds expectations.
Meets: Consistently cites sources in Chicago style with few errors.
Approaches: Several citation, formatting issues, or sourcing gaps.
Fails: Numerous citations missing or incorrectly formatted.
I have already handed in my research question which is: Research Question: How do specific instances of systemic discrimination,
such as unequal funding allocation, environmental injustices, and limited
access to culturally competent care, contribute to the enduring health
disparities experienced by American Indian populations in the United States
today? How do government policies, such as Medicaid expansion and the
Indian Health Care Improvement Act, either mitigate or perpetuate systemic
discrimination within the healthcare system and influence health outcomes for American Indian populations?
My thesis statement is the following but can change if you can do better please: B. Thesis Statement: The enduring health disparities among American Indian
populations in the United States today are intricately linked to systemic
discrimination perpetuated by unequal funding allocation, environmental
injustices, and limited access to culturally competent care within the
healthcare system. Historical injustices and institutional biases have resulted
in disparities in healthcare funding, leading to inadequate resources,
infrastructure, and healthcare services in American Indian communities.
Additionally, environmental injustices such as exposure to pollution, toxic
waste, and inadequate access to clean water further exacerbate health
disparities. Moreover, the disproportionate unemployment rates among
American Indians, stemming from systemic barriers and economic
marginalization, contribute to heightened levels of stress, poverty, and limited
access to employer-sponsored healthcare coverage, exacerbating health
disparities. Additionally, cultural barriers and a shortage of culturally
competent healthcare providers further hinder access to quality care,
perpetuating mistrust and reluctance to seek medical attention among
American Indian populations. While government policies such as Medicaid
expansion and the Indian Health Care Improvement Act have aimed to
address some of these disparities, their effectiveness has been limited by systemic barriers.
My three main points were: unequal funding allocation, environmental injustices and limited access to culturally competent care. These can not change anymore as my research question has to stay the same. Please make sure the entire research paper answers the research question and gives many examples from credible sources. 
I attached a picture of the outline I handed in. It was just very basic and my subpoints don’t have to stay the same. It is just to show you the format of the research paper. Thank you so much in advance!