Minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies
The minor in Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) is designed for the student who is interested in understanding the identities and experiences, cultural practices, and lifeways of Native American and Indigenous people. It requires six courses from across a variety of departments and includes explorations of creative expression, the social and natural worlds, and indigeneity within a global context. Individual classes may focus on Native literature, traditional ecological knowledge, tribal sovereignty and other topics. Track your progress through the minor using this form.
The following course numbers are approved for the minor. To find yearly course offerings and schedules for specific quarters, please consult the Courses page. All courses on the annual schedule count for the NAIS minor. Alternatives and exceptions must be approved by the NAIS minor coordinator.1. Select one foundational course:
- SOC 277 Introduction to Native American Studies
- ENG 274 Introduction to Native American and Indigenous Literatures
- HIST 393 Topics in History: Red Power, Indigenous Resistance in the US and Canada, 1887-present.
2. Select two courses from Creative Expressions or Social Worlds:
Creative Expression (Literature, Dance, Music, Art, Theater)
- ART HIST 228 Introduction to Pre-Columbian Art
- ENG 374 Topics in Native American & Indigenous Literatures
- AF AM ST 214 Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies
- ANTHRO 311 Indians of North America
- RELIGION 260 Introduction to Native American Religions
- JOURN 367 Native American Environmental Issues & the Media
- JOURN 390 Media History and the Native American Experience
- HIST 200 -22 Introduction to Native American History
- HUM 210 Genocide, Resistance, Resurgence: Native Peoples
- HIST 370-4-20 “Real Indians: Indigeneity and the Authenticity Problem
- LEGAL ST 376 Topic
3. Select two courses from Natural Worlds or Global Indigeneity
Natural Worlds (Science, Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Environmental Psychology, Political Science, Health, Medicine)
- POLI SCI 349 International Environmental Politics
- PSYCH/ENVR POL 332 Native Americans and Environmental Decision Making
- GBL HLTH 305 Global Health and Indigenous Medicine
- GBL HLTH 390 Native American Health
- ANTHRO 328 The Maya
- SPANISH 361 Latin America: Studies in Culture & Society
- SPANISH 397 Topics in Latin American, Latino and Latina, and Iberian Literatures and Cultures
4. One course elective
One course elective at an advanced level (from any of NAIS’s four scholarly directions), independent study, or capstone project in a contributing department or program (identified above) and approved
Advising
Declaring a NAIS Minor
Please complete this form to declare the minor. Once you have completed the student section of the form, e-mail it to Beatriz Reyes, who will complete the form and submit it to the WCAS Office of Undergraduate Studies.
If you have questions about the minor, please stop by to chat. Beatriz will have drop-in office hours from 4-5pm on Mondays in room 202 at CNAIR house (515 Clark, Evanston). If these hours do not work for you please email Beatriz at Beatriz.reyes@northwestern.edu with your availability for the week.