American Indian Studies Course Descriptions

AIS (American Indian Studies)

• AIS 101 Introductory Lakota I 4 hours
  (Also LAKL 101) An introduction to the Lakota language with emphasis on basic conversation, language structure, and vocabulary. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 214 Introduction To American Indian Literature* 3 hours
  (Also ENGL 214) This introductory course in American Indian literature allows students to read and study a variety of genres, including traditional oral literature, autobiography, poetry, fiction, and drama by American Indian authors. Students learn basic research and critical skills needed in reading Native American texts. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 251 American Indian Art History* 3 hours
  (Also ARTH 251) This course is a survey of the history of American Indian art ranging from traditional tribal art to contemporary Indian art. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 257 American Indian History And Culture I* 3 hours
  (Also HIST 257) An introductory survey of the historical and cultural content, concepts and methods of American Indian Studies. The diverse American Indian cultures, political systems, and social organizations inhabiting North America from time immemorial to the present through the use of oral traditions, written literature, and art forms will be emphasized. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 417 American Indian Government And Politics* 3 hours
  (Also POLS 417) A survey of Indian tribal government and subjects related to tribal government including problems of leadership, tribal politics, intergovernmental relations and tribal enterprises. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 422 Issues In Contemporary Indian Life* 3 hours
  (Also SOC 422) An analysis of current American Indian life including inquiry into government policies, economics, and social adjustment to non-Indian society, and cultural changes as these relate to Indian citizens on and off the reservation. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 445 American Indian Literature I* 3 hours
  (Also ENGL 445) Traditional oral literature and autobiographies of American Indians. (AIS Elective)

• AIS 446 American Indian Literature II* 3 hours
  (Also ENGL 446) 20th century poetry, fiction, and drama by American Indians. (AIS Elective)

• AIS 460 American Indian Thought* 3 hours
  (Also PHIL 460) Approaches American Indian thought from an experiential point of view. Examines myth and legends to "construct" the outlook or "world view" of the American Indian. Prerequisite: AIS 257/HIST 257: American Indian History and Culture I. (AIS Elective)

• AIS 465 Siouan Tribal Culture* 3 hours
  Examines culture of the Siouan-speaking tribes of the Northern Plains using historical, anthropological, and linguistic approaches to the three divisions of the Sioux peoples--namely Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota--as well as the Mandan, Omaha, and Winnebago. Prerequisite: AIS 257/HIST 257: American Indian History and Culture I. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 466 Indian Americans* 3 hours
  (Also HIST 466) Indians of the United States. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 480 Senior Seminar* 3 hours
  A capstone course synthesizing and integrating major ideas and trends flowing from past and current issues within the discipline of American Indian studies. (AIS Requirement)

• AIS 490 Independent Study* 1-3 hours
  Individual projects and supervised readings. Prerequisite: AIS 257/HIST 257: American Indian History and Culture I, or equivalent, or permission of instructor. (AIS Elective)