Program: Minor in American Indian Studies
Overview
The American Indian Studies (AIS) minor provides access to the unique cultures and the historical and contemporary experiences of sovereign Indian nations. Topics that will be examined in the interdisciplinary minor include American Indian law and policy, internal colonization, contemporary social issues, metaphysics, art, music and literature.
The program is designed to enhance the understanding and respect of First People cultures and the unique sovereign status of First Nations. Many of the courses will satisfy requirements in several majors. AIS 101 Introduction to American Indian Studies and AIS 304 American Indian Law and Policy will meet the General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies requirement. AIS 301 First Peoples and Popular Culture meets the General Education, Lifelong Learning requirement. In addition, AIS 401 Contemporary American Indian Social Issues is a community-partnership course. The program provides background for undergraduate or advanced study in anthropology, art, business, communication, criminology, education, English, geography, health sciences, history, language and linguistic studies, political science, pre-law, philosophy, psychology, religious studies, sociology, women’s studies and comparative study in other ethnic study programs.
Program Requirements
1. Required Courses (9 units)
AIS 101 Introduction to American Indian Studies (3)*
AIS 401 Contemporary American Indian Social Issues (3)
HIST 369 History of American Indians (3)
2. Electives (9 units)
Select three courses from the following:
AIS 301 First Peoples and Popular Culture (3)**
AIS 304 American Indian Law and Policy (3)*
ANTH 306 Native Peoples of North America (3)
ANTH 307 Native Peoples of California and the Southwest (3)
AIS 314 North American Indian Literature (3)
or ENGL 314 North American Indian Literature (3)
ART 401 History of Native North American Art (3)
*General Education, Comparative Cultural Studies
**General Education, Lifelong Learning
Total Units in the Minor: 18
Contact
Director: Brian Burkhart
Staff: Maria Castillo
Jerome Richfield (JR) 219
(818) 677-2736
www.csun.edu/americanindianstudies
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Demonstrate critical thinking, written, creative and oral communication skills.
- Develop a critical and reflective perspective on Western interpretations of the experiences of First Nation Peoples; in particular, an understanding of internal colonialism.
- Demonstrate an appreciation of the commonalities and the differences of indigenous cultures and nations.
- Demonstrate a commitment through effective community service to work cooperatively with indigenous peoples.
- Demonstrate an enhanced ability to respect indigenous communities.