Students taking Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) courses begin to understand historical and contemporary social issues among indigenous peoples of the Americas, within the global context of settler colonialism and its legacies.
All students develop an individual certificate plan of study in consultation with the NAIS coordinator. In some cases, students may be able to count certificate courses toward certain GE CLAS Core requirements.
The Native American and Indigenous Studies Program focuses on the histories, cultures, literatures, and contemporary legal and political issues of Native Americans of the United States and other indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Both the certificate and the minor combine well with a variety of undergraduate majors and provide background for jobs involving cross-cultural work that involves ethnic, social, and political diversity. They also help you prepare for advanced study and training in the social sciences, health care, business, social work, and law.
Native American and Indigenous Studies Certificate
The courses required for the certificate help broaden the scope of students' understanding of United States history, with special reference to the role of Native Americans in its founding, its economy, and in contemporary society.
Native American and Indigenous Studies Minor
Students who pursue a minor learn about the origins, academic contributions, and political impact of the interdisciplinary field of Native American and Indigenous Studies.