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Teaching Sociology at a Tribal College: Navajo Philosophy as a Pedagogy

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Abstract

This article begins with a brief history of Dine College, the first tribally controlled college in the nation. I then provide an overview of Dine College’s educational philosophy, called Sa’ah Naaghai Bik’eh Hozhoon, and give examples that demonstrate how I apply this SNBH philosophy in my teaching. I discuss my own Dine identity, and explain how that fosters a greater understanding among the students I teach. I also introduce a concept called “the Navajo time bind” that illuminates the challenges I face in teaching sociology to a Navajo population. Overall, this article provides insights about the unique aspects of teaching sociology in a tribally controlled college.

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References

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dine College, P.O. Box 127, Tsaile, AZ, 86556, USA

    Miranda Haskie

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  1. Miranda Haskie
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Correspondence to Miranda Haskie.

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Haskie, M. Teaching Sociology at a Tribal College: Navajo Philosophy as a Pedagogy. Am Soc 44, 378–384 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-013-9188-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-013-9188-3

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