Liberal Arts (Code 530-201)

University Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR BACCALAUREATE DEGREE
Credit Requirements
Minimum total for graduation 1		120
Upper division credits (courses numbered 300 and higher)		39
Liberal Education Core		36
Academic Concentrations
Grade Point Requirements 2
Total		2.00 average
Resident		2.00 average
Major		2.00 average
Minor		2.00 average
Certificate		2.00 average
University Residency Requirements
Minimum total		30
Senior year		23
Major, Standard, upper division in residence		12
Major, Comprehensive, upper division in residence		21
Certificate		25 percent of credits
Procedures Required for Graduation
Obtain admission to the degree program and/or the College offering it.
Apply for graduation on CampS.

¹

Certain programs exceed this minimum.

²

See special requirements in each College.

Applicability of Credits Toward Graduation

Junior College or Two-Year College Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in a junior college or two-year college will be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire.

Extension Credits. Credits earned in credit outreach courses offered by UW-Eau Claire are treated as resident credits. Credits earned in extension courses offered by other units of the University of Wisconsin System are treated as transfer credits. All other (non-UW) extension and correspondence credits are normally limited to one-fourth of the total required for graduation from any curriculum.

WTCS Credits. A maximum of 72 semester credits earned in college parallel programs at Madison Area Technical College, Milwaukee Area Technical College, Nicolet Area Technical College, or Chippewa Valley Technical College may be accepted as degree credits at UW-Eau Claire. A set number of general education courses will be accepted from other technical schools. Occupational and technical courses may also be considered for transfer if the quality and content of the course work from the technical college is judged to be comparable to course work at UW-Eau Claire. Refer to the Transfer Credit Wizard or contact the UW-Eau Claire Admissions Office for information about the current transfer policy.

USAFI Credit. UW-Eau Claire will accept up to 32 semester credits for work done through the United States Armed Forces Institute, under the provision for non-UW correspondence credit (see Extension Credits above).

Activity Credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184 courses) Students may count toward graduation no more than one credit of KINS 110-184 courses. Students may count toward graduation no more than four credits earned in any single activity course and no more than 12 credits resulting from any combination of activity courses (excluding KINS 110-184 courses). 

Other Restricted Credits. For other University restrictions, see the following: Cooperative Education; Credit by Examination; Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Registration; Transfer of Credits. College or departmental restrictions may also be placed on Independent Study (399-499 courses), Directed Study (395-495), and other types of credits.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
APPLICABILITY OF CREDITS TOWARD GRADUATION		Credit Restrictions
Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Total degree credit		maximum 12
Major, Standard		maximum 1 course
Major, Comprehensive		maximum 2 courses
Minor		maximum 1 course
Credit by Examination
Total degree credit		maximum ¼ of total
Major or minor		maximum ½ of total
Two-Year College Credits
Total degree credit		maximum 72 credits
Activity credit (band, chorus, drama, KINS 100-184)
Total KINS 100-184		maximum 1 credit
Total Band, chorus, drama		maximum 12 credits
Single course band, chorus, drama		maximum 4 credits
Extension credits
UW-System		no maximum
Other extension/correspondence		maximum ¼ of total
USAFI
USAFI		maximum 32 credits

Liberal Education Core

The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire measures learning outcomes to ensure that its graduates have achieved a liberal education and prepared themselves to contribute to a complex society. Upon graduation, each undergraduate will have met the five learning goals of our liberal education core and the 12 learning outcomes they comprise. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
LIBERAL EDUCATION CORE REQUIREMENTS		a minimum of 36 credits
Knowledge Goal
Knowledge Outcome 1 (K1): Natural Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 2 (K2): Social Sciences		Two (2) learning experiences
One experience in laboratory science must be selected from either K1 or K2.
Knowledge Outcome 3 (K3): Humanities		Two (2) learning experiences
Knowledge Outcome 4 (K4): Fine Arts		One (1) learning experience
Skills Goal
Skills Outcome 1 (S1): Written and Oral Communication		Two (2) learning experiences
One S1 must meet the University Writing Requirement
Skills Outcome 2 (S2): Mathematics		One (1) learning experience
One S2 to meet the University Mathematics Requirement
Skills Outcome 3 (S3): Creativity		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Goal
Responsibility Outcome 1 (R1): Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity		Two (2) learning experiences
One R1 must satisfy Design for Diversity
Responsibility Outcome 2 (R2): Global Perspectives		One (1) learning experience
Responsibility Outcome 3 (R3): Civic and Environmental Issues		One (1) learning experience
Integration Goal
Integration Outcome 1 (I1): Integration		Two (2) learning experiences
Service-Learning Goal
Service-Learning		30 hours

College Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science Degree (B.A./B.S.)

University Graduation Requirements. All candidates for degrees must fulfill the requirements for credits, curriculum, GPA, and University residency as specified in the section of this catalog titled University Graduation Requirements.

College Graduation Requirements: Grade Point Averages. All candidates for degrees in the College of Arts and Sciences must earn minimum resident and total GPAs of 2.00 in the major, the minor, and the certificate. The resident and total GPAs for the major are computed using all attempted credits applicable to the major including those offered by departments other than the major department. The resident and total GPAs for the minor and the certificate are computed similarly.

Major-Minor and Major-Certificate Requirements. A standard major (a minimum of 36 credits) must be supplemented by a minor (a minimum of 24 credits) or by a certificate (12 to 18 credits) to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program. No minor or certificate is required with a Comprehensive Major (60 or more credits) or with two majors of 36 or more credits each.

Certain degree programs, which include Comprehensive Majors, may require more than the minimum of 120 credits for graduation.

Acceptable academic program combinations are determined at the college level. A major and a minor or a major and certificate or two majors (if available) may not be elected in the same department or program, except in the approved combinations listed here.

College Credits. Earn at least 90 credits in courses offered by the College of Arts and Sciences.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.A.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); foreign language competency at the 102 level.  Foreign language competency may be met in one of two ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the foreign language placement test that qualifies the student to enter the 201-level course in a foreign language.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in a 102-level foreign language course (or AIS 112 or AIS 122 / LANG 122 or CSD 103).

Bachelor of Science Degree in the College of Arts and Sciences (B.S.)

Fulfillment of all University Graduation Requirements (which includes the Liberal Education Core); all College-level degree requirements (major and minor/certificate emphases, GPAs, earning at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences course work); mathematics competency at the MATH 111, MATH 112 or MATH 113 level.  Mathematics competency can be met in one of three ways:  (1) Achieve a score on the mathematics placement test that qualifies the student to enter MATH 114.  (2) Earn a grade of at least C (not C-) or a mark of S in MATH 111, MATH 112, or MATH 113.  (3) Achieve a satisfactory score on the MATH 112 competency test.  This test may be attempted no more than two times.

Major Requirements

Liberal Arts (Code 530-201)

This interdisciplinary major is designed to offer a range of courses to meet the career goals and needs of students: 

1. who wish to enter a profession related to tribal affairs, tribal heritage centers, and business enterprises;
2. who have decided to pursue graduate study in Anthropology, History, Museum Studies, English, and Casino Management;
3. who are American Indian and seek to learn more about their culture and heritage; and
4. who are drawn to the major because of its broad interdisciplinary education.

In addition, the major, minor, and certificate in American Indian Studies are designed to complement degree programs in Nursing, Education, Business, Social Work, English, and History, among other areas. 

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Thirty-six semester credits in American Indian Studies courses, including:
AIS 101	Introduction to American Indian History and Cultures	3
AIS 102	Introduction to American Indian Expressive Cultures	3
AIS 243	Introduction to Contemporary American Indian Communities	3
AIS 444	Indigenous Theory and Methodologies	3
AIS 480	Capstone	3
Remaining credits selected from:
AIS 111	Studies in American Indian Languages I 1
or AIS/LANG 121	Beginning Ojibwe I
AIS 112	Studies in American Indian Languages II 1
or AIS/LANG 122	Beginning Ojibwe II
AIS/ENGL 142	Introduction to American Indian Literatures
AIS/ANTH 161	Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
AIS/HIST 240	American Indian History
AIS/ENGL 242	The American Indian in Literature and Film
AIS 244	American Indian Literature of Healing
AIS/POLS 250	American Indian Politics
AIS 257	Tribal Nation Governments
AIS 260	Chippewa Reserved Treaty Rights
AIS 291	Special Topics
AIS/GEOG 322	Native Geographies
AIS/ARTH 324	Survey of North American Indian Art
AIS/RELS 330	Indigenous Religions of the Americas
AIS/ARTH 335	Ancient Art and Architecture of Mexico and Central America
AIS/ARTH 337	Art of Tawantinsuyo
AIS 343	Contemporary American Indian Communities
AIS/ENGL 345	American Indian Autobiography
AIS/ENGL 346	Major Works in American Indian Literature
AIS/HIST 368	Studies in American Indian History
AIS/HIST 369	Wisconsin Indian History
AIS 395	Directed Studies
AIS 399	Independent Study
AIS 491	Special Topics
AIS 498	Internship
AIS 499	Independent Study

¹

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

Seminars and special topics courses dealing with American Indians can also be considered for credit and transfer credit as elective courses.

Program Learning Outcomes

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

• Demonstrate an understanding of the inherent diversity of U.S. American Indian nations and how that has transformed throughout time.
  • Students explain the importance of place and culture for American Indian peoples.
  • Students analyze the impact of change throughout the history of American Indian peoples and communities.
  • Students explain how music, literature, and/or art are products and expressions of cultural and historical processes.
• Explain the status of federally recognized tribes in relation to federal, state, and local government, as well as private enterprises.
  • Students explain the historical and political background of American Indian communities.
  • Students define and apply the concept of tribal sovereignty in contemporary America.
  • Students define and apply the concept of treaties, historically and contemporarily.
• Exhibit an understanding of the critical issues within American Indian Studies and gain an awareness of social justice issues within Indian Country.
  • Students describe examples of identity, colonialism, stereotypes, resistance, survivance, and/or issues of cultural appropriation/exploitation of Indigenous people.
  • Students analyze the impact of systems, institutions, and issues in historical and contemporary times.
  • Students apply the ability to interact respectfully with others and suspend judgment, understanding that judgments may be culturally biased and exclusive.
• Apply skills, knowledge, or methodologies gained in one academic or experiential context to a new context to solve problems or address complex issues with sufficient support.
  • Students develop the ability to work effectively in and around tribal and urban Native communities.
  • Students 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.
  • Students develop research skills with a special emphasis on interdisciplinary studies.

Sample Degree Plans

 American Indian Studies, Major, B.A. 

The following is a sample degree plan, based on the 2023-2024 catalog. It is based on the 120-credit graduation requirement and assumes no transferred credits, no requirements waived by placement tests, no courses taken in the summer or winter, no repeated courses, and no remedial courses that may be required. This sample degree plan is intended for first-year students entering UW-Eau Claire in the fall semester. Your own degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). UW-Eau Claire cannot guarantee all courses will be offered as shown, but will provide a range of courses that may enable prepared students to fulfill their requirements in a timely period. This sample degree plan is just a guide. Please consult your advisor, your degree audit, and the catalog to create your own degree plan. Note: In order to earn the required minimum of 120 credits for the degree in four years, you should plan to take 15 credits each semester or 30 credits each year.

To earn a degree, students must fulfill all University Graduation Requirements, including the Liberal Education (LE) Core.  LE Core course work in the following sample degree plan uses abbreviations such as LE-K1, LE-S2, LE-R3, and LE-I1 to represent the learning outcomes students will meet via completion of their liberal education course work.  Please click here for a description of the Liberal Education Core outcomes and requirements.  Note that the LE Core may be completed through both course and non-course experiences.

Students in this major have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.  The degrees are distinguished by foreign language competency for the B.A. and a higher level of mathematics competency for the B.S.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
FIRST YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
AIS 101	Introduction to American Indian History and Cultures (LE-R1, LE-K3)	3
LANG Elective - 101-level (LE-S1)		4
SECOND SEMESTER
AIS 102	Introduction to American Indian Expressive Cultures (LE-R1, LE K4)	3
LANG Elective - 102-level (LE-S1)		4
SOME TIME IN THE FIRST YEAR
MATH 109	Algebra for Calculus (LE-S2)	4
WRIT 114	Intensive Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)	5
OR
WRIT 116	Blugold Seminar in Critical Reading and Writing (LE-S1)
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (K1L) Natural Sciences with Lab		4
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (K2) Social Sciences		3
TOTAL FIRST YEAR		30
SECOND YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
AIS 243	Introduction to Contemporary American Indian Communities (LE-K3, LE-R1)	3
LE Option: Knowledge 1 (K1) Natural Sciences		3-4
SECOND SEMESTER
AIS 240	American Indian History (LE-K3, LE-R1)	3
LE Option: Knowledge 2 (K2) Social Sciences		3
SOME TIME IN THE SECOND YEAR
AIS Elective		3
LE Option: Responsibility 2 (R2) Global Perspectives		3
Second Program Course		3
AIS Elective		3
LE Option: Responsibility 3 (R3) Civic and Environmental Issues		3
Second Program Course		3
TOTAL SECOND YEAR		30-31
THIRD YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
AIS 300+ level Elective		3
AIS Elective		3
Second Program Course		3
SECOND SEMESTER
AIS 343	Contemporary American Indian Communities (DII, LE-R1, LE-R3)	3
AIS Elective		3
Second Program Course		3
SOME TIME IN THE THIRD YEAR
LE Option: Integration (I1)		3
LE Option: 300 level Upper Division		3
LE Option: 300 level Upper Division		3
LE Option: 300 level Upper Division		3
TOTAL THIRD YEAR		30
FOURTH YEAR
FIRST SEMESTER
AIS 444	Indigenous Theory and Methodologies	3
Second Program Course - Upper Division		3
Second Program Course		3
SECOND SEMESTER
AIS 480	Capstone	3
Second Program Course - Upper Division		3
Second Program Course		3
SOME TIME IN THE FOURTH YEAR
LE Option: 300 level Upper Division		3
LE Option: 300 level Upper Division		3
LE Option: 300 level Upper Division		3
LE Option: 300 level Upper Division		3
TOTAL FOURTH YEAR		30

Minimum total for the baccalaureate degree = 120 credits

Note:  All students must complete the 30-hour Service-Learning Requirement via a non-credit or credit option (see University Graduation Requirements).