American Indian Studies

200 | 300 | 400

(Interdepartmental Undergraduate Minor)
Program Director: Sidner Larson
The American Indian Studies Program is a cross-disciplinary program in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences that emphasizes perspectives from American Indian Studies, anthropology, art, history, literature, political science and sociology. The primary goal of the American Indian Studies program is to conduct interdisciplinary investigations of the intellectual practices, lived history, values, political status, rights, and responsibilities of tribal nations. Students have the opportunity to learn about the cultural heritage of American Indians, their historical relationship with non-Indians, and their participation in contemporary American society. They analyze the tropes and techniques common to American Indian oral and written literatures; comparison/contrast of American Indian cultures to mainstream and other world cultures; and, articulation of the role American Indians are playing in approaches to modern social and environmental issues.

The courses in the American Indian Studies Program provide added background for students whose career interests may include multicultural education, human services, legal services, or public administration.

Within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, courses in American Indian studies can be used as electives, in a minor, or in an interdisciplinary studies major (for details, see Index, Interdisciplinary Studies). Students majoring in another college who wish to use these courses should consult with their advisers.

A minor in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences must include at least 15 credits of courses in the field. A minor in American Indian studies must include 210, two courses chosen from among the following: 310, 322, 332 and 346, and two additional courses chosen from the program courses listed below. The American Indian Studies Program Committee will, upon application by the student and review of the program, certify that the student has completed a minor in American Indian Studies.

Because course offerings vary from year to year, any student interested in a minor in American Indian Studies should contact the American Indian Studies office for advising. (See Index, LAS Cross- Disciplinary Programs.)

Courses open for nonmajor graduate credit: 346.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

Am In 210. Introduction to American Indian Studies. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S. Introduction to the multidisciplinary aspects of American Indian studies. Topics include literature, the arts, history, anthropology, sociology, education, and contemporary Indian politics. Guest lectures, media presentations, and discussion of assigned readings.

Am In 240. Introduction to American Indian Literature. (3-0) Cr. 3. F. Prereq: Credit in or exemption from Engl 104. Appreciation of oral and written forms of American Indian literatures. Tropes and techniques in oral, visual and written texts. Focus on the role of American Indians in interdisciplinary approaches to modern social and environmental issues as expressed in literary works.

Am In 310. Topics in American Indian Studies. (3-0) Cr. 3 each time taken, maximum of 6. F.S. Issues within specific topical areas of American Indian society and culture, such as social work with Indian families, tribal government, and environmental policy.

Am In 315. Archaeology of North America. (Same as Anthr 315.) See Anthropology.

Am In 322. Peoples and Cultures of Native North America. (Same as Anthr 322.) See Anthropology.

Am In 323. Peoples and Cultures of Latin America. (Same as Anthr 323.) See Anthropology.

Am In 328. American Indian Religions. (Same as Relig 328.) See Religious Studies.

Am In 342. American Indian Women Writers. (Same as W S 342.) (3-0) Cr. 3. Prereq: Engl 105. Larson. Literature of American Indian women writers which examines their social, political, and cultural roles in the United States. Exploration of American Indian women's literary, philosophical, and artistic works aimed at recovering elements of identity, redescribing stereotypes, resisting colonization, and constructing femininity. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Am In 346. American Indian Literature. (Same as Engl 346.) See English. Nonmajor graduate credit.

Am In 420. Cultural Continuity and Change on the Prairie-Plains. (Same as Anthr 420.) See Anthropology.

Am In 432. Current Issues in Native North America. (Same as Anthr 432.) See Anthropology.

Am In 490. Independent Study. Cr. var. Prereq: 6 credits in American Indian studies; permission of instructor. Designed to meet the needs of students who wish to study in areas other than those in which courses are offered. No more than 9 credits in Am In 490 may be counted toward graduation.

Courses Offered by Other Departments

Anthr 428. Archaeological Laboratory Methods and Techniques. See Anthropology.

Anthr 429. Archaeological Field School. See Anthropology.

C I 280C. Native American Tutoring. See Curriculum Instruction.

Hist 370. History of Iowa. See History.

Hist 465. The American West. See History.

Pol S 312. Minicourse in American Government and Politics. See Political Science. Acceptable only when offered as a course in American Indian tribal government and political theory.

Soc 330. Ethnic and Race Relations. See Sociology.