College of the Sciences
American Indian Studies
Minor
Minor in American Indian Studies
Our American Indian Studies Minor offers exploration of Native American cultures, histories, and contemporary realities.
Through our interdisciplinary program, you will engage with scholarly research, creative expression, and indigenous traditions that challenge stereotypes and provide a deep understanding of American Indian histories, contemporary issues, and cultural preservation. You will have the opportunity to explore indigenous rights, sovereignty, cultural revitalization, and environmental stewardship.
Questions? Contact Us.
Penelope Anderson, Secretary Senior
Dean Hall 357A
You Belong Here
What You'll Study
Academic Catalog | American Indian Studies Website
Required Courses
- AIS 101 - American Indian Culture before European Contact
- AIS 102 - American Indians in the Contact Period
- AIS 103 - Contemporary American Indian Experience
Department-Approved Electives
Humanities Electives
- AIS 321 - American Indian Spirituality
- ENG 332 - American Indian Literature
- ENG 461 - Studies in Film and Culture
- HIST 385 - Aztec, Inca, Maya: Empire and City in the New World
- HIST 434 - American Indian History to 1795
- HIST 438 - American Indian History since 1795
Science Electives
- ANTH 324 - North American Archaeology
- ANTH 325 - Prehistory of the Pacific Northwest
- ANTH 347 - Native American Cultures of North America
- POSC 411 - American Indian Politics and Sovereignty
- SOC 366 - Sociology of American Indians
Additional course opportunities in:
- AIS 296 - Individual Study
- AIS 490 - Cooperative Education
- AIS 491 - Workshop
- AIS 496 - Individual Study
- AIS 498 - Special Topics
Interdisciplinary Insights
Gain a deeper understanding of Indigenous cultures, histories, and contemporary issues through courses that integrate anthropology, history, sociology, law, and cultural studies.
Regional Emphasis
Learn about the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest, focusing on their histories, cultures, and the unique challenges they face.
Pacific Northwest Learning
Build foundational understanding of Pacific Northwest Tribes for careers in environmental science, cultural and natural resources, education, public health, and many others.
Tribal Sovereignty Focus
Explore topics such as food and data sovereignty, environmental justice, tribal governance and natural and cultural resource management.
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Why Study American Indian Studies at Central?
- Learn from faculty involved in Indigenous scholarship, offering personalized guidance in small class settings.
- Study a unique curriculum that balances academic and practical applications, such as American Indian politics, spirituality, and literature.
- Gain cultural experience through day trips to regional Tribes and heritage centers, visits with local Indigenous community members, and hands-on workshops.
