American Indian Studies Major

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Richard Meyers, Coordinator
American Indian Studies
605-688-6416
e-mail: richard.meyers@sdstate.edu

Program Description
This is an inter-college program of American Indian culture studies. Coursework in various departments of the University provides a broad base for understanding the past, present, and possible futures of American Indian people. The program recognizes the historical and contemporary significance of American Indian experiences. Study of these experiences promotes understanding of the pluralist nature of the United States and responds to the growing need for multicultural sensitivity and awareness. Students desiring more information or interested in the program should consult with the coordinator and their academic advisor.

Student Learning Outcomes

Discipline-Specific Knowledge - Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the principles of tribal sovereignty; government and policy; American Indian history, religion, and literature.
Communication - Graduates will demonstrate a basic proficiency in a tribal language; And to present effective oral and written presentations on research involving American Indians.
Critical Thinking - Graduates will demonstrate a mastery of problem-solving skills that integrate research with contemporary issues that confront indigenous people both locally and globally.

Course Delivery Method

Courses for the AIS major are delivered in face to face environments, utilizing lectures, discussions, and applied learning.

Requirements for American Indian Studies Major: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts

System General Education Requirements*: 30

Goal #1 Written Communication :
ENGL 101
and
ENGL 201
Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication:
SPCM 101*
Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity Credits: 6
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity
AIS/LAKL 101
and
AIS/LAKL 102
Credits: 8
Goal #5 Mathematics Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences Credits: 6

Institutional Graduation Requirements**: 5

Goal #1 First Year Seminar Credits: 2
Goal #2 Cultural Awareness and Social and Environmental Responsibility
AIS/HIST 368
Credits: 3

College Requirements**: 28

Bachelor of Arts Specifications

Modern Languages
AIS/LAKL 101
,
102
,
201
,
202
14
Humanities SGR #4 courses 6
Social Sciences SOC 350 & SGR #3 courses 8

^{See the}^{College of Arts and Sciences}^{for additional information about}^{Bachelor of Arts Specifications}

Major Requirements**: 55

Major Core: 32

AIS 100 - Introduction to American Indian Studies
Credits: 3
AIS/LAKL 101 - Introductory Lakota I * **
Credits: 4
AIS/LAKL 102 - Introductory Lakota II *
Credits: 4
AIS/LAKL 201 - Intermediate Lakota I (COM)
Credits: 3
AIS/LAKL 202 - Intermediate Lakota II (COM)
Credits: 3
SOC 350 - Race and Ethnic Relations (COM) (G)
Credits: 3
AIS/HIST 368 - History and Culture of the American Indian**
(COM) Credits: 3
AIS/ENGL 445 - American Indian Literature
Credits: 3
or
AIS/ENGL 447 - American Indian Literature of Present
Credits: 3
AIS 462 - Formation of Federal Indian Policy
Credits: 3
AIS 492 - Topics
Credits: 3

Electives: 23
Select from the following courses.

AIS 103 - American Indian Cultures and the Classroom
Credits: 3
AIS/REL 238 - Native American Religions *
Credits: 3
AIS/ENGL 256 - Literature of the American West**
Credits: 3
AIS/WMST 362 - Indigenous Feminisms
Credits: 3
AIS 400 - Education and Native Peoples
Credits: 3
AIS 410 - North American Ethnology
Credits: 3
AIS/POLS 417 - American Indian Government and Politics
Credits: 3
AIS 421/ANTH 421-521 - Indians of North America **
Credits: 3
AIS/ENGL 445 - American Indian Literature
Credits: 3
or
AIS/ENGL 447 - American Indian Literature of Present
Credits: 3
AIS/GEOG 467 - Geography of the American Indian
Credits: 3
AIS 491 - Independent Study
Credits: 1-3
AIS 492 - Topics
Credits: 1-3
AIS 496 - Field Experience
Credits: 1-12

Electives: 39

Select an Advanced Writing course

Total Required Credits: 120

Curriculum Notes

* The 30 credit Board of Regents System General Education Requirements (SGRs) must be completed as part of a student’s first 64 credits.

** South Dakota State University has a 5 credit Institutional Graduation Requirement (IGRs).

(G) Globalization Requirement.

(AW) Advanced Writing Requirement.

Students must take the proficiency examination after completing 48 credits. English 101, and a course in each of the General Education areas of social science, mathematics, natural science, and humanities and arts must be taken prior to taking this exam.