American Indian, First Nations, and Indigenous Studies is a major that gives students the opportunity to learn about the original, indigenous cultures of North America. Students will be provided with a multidisciplinary understanding of the history and present situation of American Indians. The program emphasizes the interrelations among history, culture, language, literature, the arts, philosophy, religion, political and social forces, and the legal status and sovereignty of American Indians. This course of study exposes students to the richness and beauty of North American Indigenous cultures.
American Indian, First Nations, and Indigenous Studies Major
Ten courses, including:
- AIS 105 – Introduction to American Indian Studies
- AIS 202 – Storytelling, Dance, and Art: Indigenous Expression
- AIS 205 – Contemporary American Indian Issues
- AIS 304 – Engaging Native Communities
- AIS 380 – Decolonizing Practices: Reading, Writing, Research
- AIS 405 – Indigenous Activism and Resistance in the Americas
- Four elective courses, of which at least two must be upper division, chosen from the following:
- AIS 193 – Topics Workshop: Well-Being and Success in the University
- AIS 208 – Native American/First Nations Women and Film
- AIS 264 – American Indians in the Cinema
- AIS 295 – Topics
- AIS 299 – Directed Study
- AIS 302 – Indigenous Expressive Forms
- AIS 305 – Indigenous Issues of the Americas
- AIS 364 – Indigenous Filmmakers
- AIS 393 – Topics Workshop: Well-Being and Success After University
- AIS 396 – Internship
- AIS 397 – Internship
- AIS 398 – Internship
- AIS 399 – Internship
- AIS 495 – Topics
- AIS 498 – Independent Study/Research
- AIS 499 – Independent Study
- ART 290 – Native American Art
- DAK 111 – Beginning Dakota I
- DAK 112 – Beginning Dakota II
- HIS 236 – American Indian History
- OJB 111 – Beginning Ojibwe I
- OJB 112 – Beginning Ojibwe II
- RLN 370 – American Indian Spirituality and Philosophical Thought
*AIS Majors complete the Keystone requirement by taking AIS 405.
Graduation Skills
Graduation skills in Critical Thinking (CT), Speaking (S), and Writing (W) are embedded throughout the offered courses and are met by completing the major. The graduation skill in Quantitative Reasoning (QR) is met by DST 164, MAT 111, MAT 145, MAT 146, MAT 163, or PHI 230. Transfer students must consult an advisor about potential adjustments to their course requirements to fulfill each of these skills.
American Indian, First Nations, and Indigenous Studies Minor
Five courses including AIS 105. At least two courses must be upper division.
For a complete list of courses and descriptions, see the Course Description Search.