Provides graduate students with a detailed overview of principles and strategies of community development in rural Alaska and throughout the circumpolar North. Through in-depth case studies, it expands on materials and topics covered in Rural Development undergraduate courses on community development to explore how rural communities in diverse cultural, political and economic setting can build on local assets, skills and capacities to improve the lives of indigenous and other Northern residents.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.

This graduate course provides students with opportunities for advanced exploration of community-based research principles and practices. In the course, emphasis is placed on developing a thorough understanding of the community research process from conceptualization to implementation and evaluation. It includes skill development of skills applicable to both quantitative and qualitative research.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.

Provides an overview of the management by change and development within indigenous communities in the Circumpolar North. Looks closely at recent management strategies implemented in Alaska such as co-management of renewable resources, land management of Alaska Native corporations, cultural resource management, and the management of Alaska Native tribal governments, corporations and other organizations. Uses comparative case studies and effects of cultural and traditional values on management practices in different northern socio-cultural environments.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.

Purposes, structure and methods of management of particularly Northern indigenous organizations. The management of Alaska Native organizations will be compared with formal organizations established by indigenous peoples in other regions of the Circumpolar North. The concept of 'indigenous management' will be reviewed, as will perceptions of differences between leadership and management in both western and indigenous settings.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.

Provides a comprehensive overview of major circumpolar health issues affecting Northern residents. Includes an analysis of health and traditional healing practices prior to contact. Examines the emergence of chronic diseases, problems of alcohol abuse and violence, efforts to combine traditional healing practices and Western medicine. Includes environmental health issues, including water, sewer, and food contamination. Overview of health care systems and public health infrastructure in the North.

Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.

Overview and analysis of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. An in-depth examination of the land claims movement of the 1960s and resulting legislative process. Firsthand accounts from Native leaders will be featured. Case studies describing challenges of individual Native villages and regions. Contemporary issues facing ANCSA corporations will be examined.

Prerequisite: Junior standing or permission of instructor.

Stacked with RD F470.

Investigation of current issues in cross-cultural contexts. Opportunity for students to synthesize their prior graduate studies and research. Seminar is taken near the terminus of a graduate program.

Prerequisites: Advancement to candidacy and permission of student's graduate committee.

Cross-listed with CCS F690; ED F690; ANL F690.

This course is one of two options for MA students in Rural Development:

completion of an Applied Community Development Project (RD F698)

OR

completion of a MA thesis (RD699).

The number of credits allowed (between 6 and 9) will depend on the nature of the student's project and must be approved in advance by the student's graduate committee. RD698 enables the student to complete a project under the supervision of the graduate committee.

This course is one of two options for MA students in Rural Development:

completion of an Applied Community Development Project (RD F698)

OR

completion of a MA thesis (RD F699).

The number of credits allowed (between 6 and 9) will depend on the nature of the student's project and must be approved in advance by the student's graduate committee. RD699 enables the student to conduct research and write a thesis on a topic approved by the student's committee.