Federal Indian Law

This course provides an overview of federal Indian law. There are currently 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, and each tribe is a sovereign government. Accordingly, federal Indian law explores the division of power between tribes, states, and the federal government. The course will examine topics including criminal law, natural resources, taxation, and gaming. This course may also cover contemporary federal Indian law issues that arise during the course of the semester. When addressing issues of tribal sovereignty, students will be forced examine the unique constitutional status of tribes and the history of United States-Indian relations. Students enrolled in this course should gain an understanding of federal Indian policy and the federal-tribal relationship.