American Indian Studies minor

Office: E304 Thompson Hall
(716) 673-3274
Dr. Jennifer Hildebrand, Coordinator
Email: americanindian.studies@fredonia.edu
Website: http://home.fredonia.edu/interdisciplinary

American Indian Studies provides an interdisciplinary focus on the historical experiences, cultural traditions and innovations, and political status of Indian peoples across the Americas. Students are particularly encouraged to consider the significance of American Indians’ prior presence on these lands. Important topics of exploration include Native American ways of living, understanding the world, and organizing their societies; courses will also examine the impact of invasion and colonization on Indian America, discussions and debates about sovereignty, and the intersection of Indian and European histories and systems of knowledge.

American Indian Studies emphasizes the importance of exploring and interpreting historical and contemporary events from Native American perspectives that consider the many nations’ unique history and experiences. Students completing a minor in American Indian Studies will be strongly encouraged to engage with discussions and debates about how their academic knowledge relates to the lived experiences of Native American people and communities.

American Indian Studies is for everyone. No matter your major or your future plans, the program will provide intellectual skills and cultural knowledge that will benefit you. As the workplace and the world become more diversified, the ability to consider different perspectives and communicate across differences becomes increasingly valuable. American Indian Studies coursework will challenge students to think critically and to write persuasively and thoughtfully, pushing them to seek innovative solutions to problems which they understand to be multifaceted. Students in the program will be well-prepared for careers in human services, museum curatorship, library science, teaching, journalism, scholarship, law, health, inter-ethnic relations, and many other fields.

Requirements for the Minor in American Indian Studies (21 credit hours)

Students declaring an American Indian Studies minor may use past courses retroactively with approval of the coordinator.

Core courses (12 credit hours):

AMST 202Introduction to American Studies

3

or

AMST 296American Identities

3

ETHN 205Introduction to American Indian Studies

3

ETHN 242American Indian Literature

3

Total Credit Hours:9

One History course chosen from the following (3 credit hours):

ETHN 282Pre-Columbian and Colonial Latin America

3

ETHN 283Latin America: Revolution & Reform

3

ETHN 356American Indian History

3

ETHN 357Indians and Europeans in Early America

3

ETHN 35820th Century American Indian Issues

3

Total Credit Hours:3

Electives (6 credit hours):

ANTH 321Anthropology of Indian America

3

ENGL 331American Literary Roots

3

SOC 275Social Inequalities

3

Total Credit Hours:6

 

NOTE:

  • Any of the History courses listed above NOT taken as a core requirement may be used as an elective.

Capstone course (3 credit hours):

ETHN 404American Indian Capstone

3

or

ETHN 490Ethnic Studies Internship

1-6

Total Credit Hours:3

Total Credit Hours: 21

Students are encouraged to explore relevant Study Abroad courses to meet the elective requirements.

The American Indian Studies minor falls under the umbrella of the Ethnic Studies program, which also offers minors in African American Studies, Latino Studies, and Multi-Ethnic Studies.