American Indian Studies, Minor

Liberal Arts  (Code 530-401)

The minor, like the major and certificate, is designed to provide both American Indian and non-Indian students with a broad understanding of the distinctive lifeways, politics, and histories of a number of tribal nations.  Students will also learn about the philosophical and religious systems, the art, and literatures developed by past and contemporary American Indian tribes and individuals.

Twenty-four semester credits, nine credits must be 300-level or higher, including:
AIS 101Introduction to American Indian History and Cultures3
AIS 102Introduction to American Indian Expressive Cultures3
AIS 243Introduction to Contemporary American Indian Communities3
Remaining credits selected from:
Studies in American Indian Languages I 1
Beginning Ojibwe I
Studies in American Indian Languages II 1
Beginning Ojibwe II
Introduction to American Indian Literatures
Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
American Indian History
The American Indian in Literature and Film
American Indian Literature of Healing
American Indian Politics
Tribal Nation Governments
Chippewa Reserved Treaty Rights
Special Topics
Native Geographies
Survey of North American Indian Art
Indigenous Religions of the Americas
Ancient Art and Architecture of Mexico and Central America
Art of Tawantinsuyo
Contemporary American Indian Communities
American Indian Autobiography
Major Works in American Indian Literature
Studies in American Indian History
Wisconsin Indian History
Directed Studies
Independent Study
Indigenous Theory and Methodologies
Capstone
Special Topics
Internship
Independent Study
1

A maximum of one language course can count to the minor.

Seminars and special topics courses dealing with American Indians will also be given consideration for credit.

Program Learning Outcomes  

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

  • Explain the status of federally recognized tribes in relation to federal, state, and local government, as well as private enterprises. 
  • Define and apply the concept of tribal sovereignty in contemporary America. 
  • Describe examples of identity, colonialism, stereotypes, resistance, survivance, and/or issues of cultural appropriation/exploitation of Indigenous people. 
    • Analyze the impact of systems, institutions, and issues in historical and contemporary times. 
    • Apply the ability to interact respectfully with others and suspend judgment, understanding that judgments may be culturally biased and exclusive. 
  • Practice culturally sensitive dispositions as they engage with American Indians in the university community, as well as tribal and urban communities within and around Wisconsin.