Unit Authors: Jayne-Leigh Thomas, Felipe Colón, Jennifer Meta Robinson, Larry Zimmerman, Jeffrey Bendremer, Jake Viarrial
Hypothetical Case Studies
These hybrid case studies allow learners to dive deeply into specific issues related to NAGPRA. These address circumstances routinely faced by NAGPRA professionals over the course of their careers. Although these cases are hybrid (hypothetical), they were drawn from years of experience in repatriation and NAGPRA compliance. Members of the Case Studies Working group wrote collaboratively for the Learning NAGPRA Project in 2017. All names of people and places in the hybrid case studies are fictional and bear no reference to specific individuals, sites, institutions, or events.
**Access the studies in the left sidebar if you are viewing content on a computer or under the "Hypothetical Case Studies" menu item if you are viewing this site using a phone or tablet.**
Ask these general questions for the case studies:
- What is the dilemma in this case?
- Frame the general roles in the case (for roleplaying, debates, positionalities/perspectives in play) like a cast of characters.
- How does NAGPRA compel you into following one direction or another in meeting the challenges presented?
- Are there outside questions/information you need to make a more informed decision?
- Are there other people/organizations you need to involve or that may have specific regulations that compel them to act in a certain way?
General list of outcomes:
- Articulate the prescribed steps in complying with NAGPRA.
- Ideal vs. Real circumstances
- Spirit or letter of the law
- Aspirations
- Letter of the law: What will I be able to do at my level, as an undergraduate, to be engaged with NAGPRA?
- Spirit of the law: As a graduate student, how am I going to practice the law?
- Understand the ethical standards and distinctions, including
- How ethical mores have changed over time and where they are today.
- Who benefits from a course of action? Who is negatively impacted?
- Articulate the differences between looting and collecting, if applicable.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 1449465, 1540447.
