AIS

American Indian Studies provides an interdisciplinary and broad understanding of American Indians, especially the Dakota, and their respective ways of life in the past, present, and future. The AIS program welcomes all students – Native and non-Native – to pursue knowledge of American Indian cultures, languages, histories, politics, media, and other topics.

The AIS program offers introductory courses including courses on Tribal Sovereignty and the history of Native people in Minnesota. Upper division courses provide unique student opportunities while covering topics on Land issues, Film, Folklife, and Research methods. The Research course, AIS 460 Behaving Like Relatives, offers students the opportunity to participate in a Study Away experience traveling to New Mexico to conduct research. AIS also offers opportunities for students to complete internships and independent studies that expand the scope of the program to work for the individual student.

The AIS program will prepare students to pursue graduate studies and careers located in tribal communities or in ethnically diverse settings. Furthermore, by incorporating Indigenous perspectives into the curriculum, AIS facilitates a space whereby American Indian worldviews will be an enduring and integral part of the diverse intellectual atmosphere at the University.

Admission to Major is granted by the American Indian Studies Program. American Indian Studies adheres to the minimum University admission requirements:

1. a minimum of 32 earned semester credit hours and
2. a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 ("C")