Nation Building Classes

The Project faculty, staff, and affiliated researchers teach two popular courses at the Kennedy School.

Nation Building I, offered in the January term, and Nation Building II, offered in the spring semester, allow students to gain a basic understanding of the status and role of Native nations, and, to understand concepts and processes such as political sovereignty, social self-sufficiency, cultural self-determination, economic development, constitutional reform, land and water rights, civil rights, health, education and social welfare as they relate to Native nations. 

Previous Nation Building II student and Harvard Kennedy School alum, Patrick Lynch MC/MPA '19 partners with Indigenous filmmakers to tell the story of tribal sovereignty and land stewardship in Alaska. Follow how the Story of Igiugig came together in an article by Ash Center's Dan Harsha.

Nation Building I

DEV-501M / A-101: Native Americans in the 21st Century: Nation Building I

Nation Building II

DEV-502 / A-102 / EMR-121 / SES 5427: Native Americans in the 21st Century: Nation Building II