American Indian Studies | Social Sciences and Cultural Studies

Table of Contents

Program Description

The American Indian Studies minor seeks to advance students’ knowledge and understanding of Native American cultures, governments, economies and issues. The minor itself can support general education courses, and majors in disciplines across campus. It provides an inclusive curriculum to appeal to students with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. It also teaches values and skills necessary to prepare students for jobs throughout Indian Country.

Housed in the Department of Social Sciences, the American Indian Studies minor honors what specific Native communities and individuals bring to WNMU. The department offers courses for the program, and sponsors the university’s Native American Club. It also participates in local events, such as regional powwows, conferences, and colloquiums related to American Indian concerns.

The program’s goal is to promote student success, including that of Native American pupils at WNMU. It seeks to broaden the larger society’s understanding of Native cultures and affairs, and support recruitment and retention practices that will allow American Indian students at WNMU to complete their degree programs and succeed in the future.

Student Learning Outcomes

Explain the concept of tribal sovereignty and how tribal sovereignty is both restricted and acknowledged by the federal trust relationship and by relationships with the states
Understand the development of modern tribal governments and their functions and importance in contemporary society
Understand and appreciate the roles of history, culture, and politics in the development of tribal world views that relate to modern life and contemporary issues of concern for Native American peoples
Identify historical, cultural, and political diversity and significance in Native oral traditions and written literatures
Recognize stereotypes about Native American peoples and explain why these stereotypes were created and why they are sustained in modern society
Understand historical experiences and contemporary issues in North America from the perspective of Native American peoples

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

AIS 212. Introduction to American Indian Studies
History 421. The Contemporary North American Indian
History 422. Indians of the Southwest

At least 3 credits from the following

AIS 380/480. Seminar/Workshop
AIS 481. Internship
CCHS 330. Public Service and Leadership

Guided Electives

At least nine credits from among the following.

Courses chosen in conjunction with American Indian Studies advisors

ANTH 201 Cultural Anthropology
HIST 221. History of the American Indian
COMM 400 Cross-Cultural Communication
POLS 211. Minorities and Politics
SOC 259 Sociology of Race and Ethnicity
SOC 313 Social Inequality
SOC 460. Social Movements/Social Change
CJUS 427 Criminal Justice in Indian Country
BLED 414 Multicultural Education
THR 250 Storytelling
ENGL 240 Native American Literature
BLED 416 Indo-Chicano Cultures and Pedagogy

Degree Plans

Find here all Degree Plans.

Here you will find the American Indian Studies minor degree plan. It is also used by AIS minors to record what classes they have taken, and to plan out the classes they will take in the future. Just prior to graduation, the student will fill out this degree plan, get appropriate signatures and submit it to the Registrar’s Office. It is also advised that they do a degree audit as they approach the semester they plan to graduate. It is best to print this out and bring it to your history advisor for review.

Admissions

Students may declare a major or minor in history upon enrollment to the university. Generally, students will choose their major in the spring semester of their sophomore year. You will want fill out a Declaration of Major form, available at the link below or through the First Year Experience Office.

Declaration of Major Degree Form — Link Below!

This form allows you to declare any major or minor at WNMU. For the minor in American Indian Studies, mark the appropriate box and make sure that the forms are signed by the appropriate advisors. Submit it to the First Year Experience Office or to one of the American Indian Studies Faculty.

https://form.jotform.com/wnmu_forms/declaration-of-major

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What can I do with an American Indian Studies Minor??
A. You can obtain jobs in both the private and government sectors. Here are some examples:

Educator (i.e. Teacher)
Researcher (i.e. Law Firms)
Tribal Government
Human Services
Indian Health Services
Business
Fine Arts
Advocacy

Q: How do I Learn More?
A. Contact our office manager:

Holly Anderson
Phone: 575-538-6634
Email: Holly.Anderson@wnmu.edu

Contact