The
non-teaching minor in Native American Studies
is designed to enhance the student's major area
of study, offering an interdisciplinary program
for Indians and non-Indians who wish to concentrate
in the study of Native American Life or who
are preparing for careers in tribal affairs
or other Indian-related professional employment.
Students who declare a minor
in Native American Studies must complete 21
credits in consultation with minor advisor.
Undergraduate Course Descriptions in Native
American Studies For prerequisites and semester
offered, please consult the most current MSU
catalog and/or semester schedule of classes.
Some courses are offered by restricted entry
and require a formal proposal for admission.
Please
contact Jennifer Woodcock in the NAS department at 406-994-3881
or e-mail her at jwoodcock@montana.edu
NAS
001 - 2 credits
Selected Issues in Personal Development
For students making an adjustment to university
life. Topics include study skills, goal setting,
decision making, time management, and personal
issues that face college students.
NAS
100 S# - 3 credits
Introduction to Native American Studies
A survey of traditional and contemporary American
Indian cultures, the historical development
of the unique relationship between the federal
government and Indian nations and current issues
among Indian people.
NAS
201 S# - 3 credits
American Indians in Montana
Movements of Indians into Montana. Social structures
including kinship, political affiliations, military,
warrior societies, religion. Establishment of
Montana's reservations, treaties, agreements
with the federal government, vested rights of
Indians, sovereignty, self-government, contemporary
tribal governments, contemporary Indian societies,
socioeconomic challenges.
NAS
220 - 3 credits
American Indian Art
The esthetic, cultural and symbolic meanings
of traditional and contemporary American Indian
art. Plains, Southwestern Northwest Coast and
Inuit art and artists.
NAS
242 S# - 3 credits
American Indians in Contemporary Society
Selected contemporary economic, social, political,
educational and cultural issues facing American
Indians today, with special emphasis on tribal
groups in Montana.
NAS
270 - 1-3 credits
Individual Problems
Directed research and study on an individual
basis.
NAS
280 - 1-3 credits
Special Topics
Courses not required in any curriculum for which
there is a particular one time need, or given
on a trial basis to determine acceptability,
and demand before requesting a regular course
number.
NAS
290 - 1-3 credits
Directed Undergraduate Research
Lower division directed research and study on
an individual basis.
NAS
305 - 3 credits
Gender Issues in Native American Studies
Compare and contrast the social construction
of gender in Native American cultures and Euroamericans.
Explore role of women, men and "two-spirit"
gender of early North American Indigenous societies.
Analyze the impact of European colonization
on traditional roles and examine contemporary
gender issues.
NAS
315 - 3 credits
Native American Indians and the Cinema
Interpretive analysis of images and representations
of American Indians in feature, independent
and tele-films. Study economics and politics
of cultural reproduction and the historical
and material ideologies at work in the film
industries. Dominant society and Indian created
films are examined.
NAS
320 H# - 3 credits
American Indian Religion and Philosophical Thought
Religion and philosophical traditions of tribal
peoples of the American, various forms of spiritual
expression and how they relate to a human sense
of an existing moral order.
NAS
325 - 3 credits
Native Peoples of the Americans
Histories and cultures of representative native
peoples of North, Central and South America,
impact of European discovery, conquest and colonization:
political, social and economic developments
from pre-Colombian to present times.
NAS
330 - 3 credits
American Indian Policy and Law
Survey of institutions, laws, cultures and political
forces which shaped federal Indian policy from
colonial times to the present. Examination of
primary documents, treaties, case law and agencies
which are the foundations of federal relationships
with Indian tribes.
NAS
340 H# - 3 credits
American Indian Literature
Traditional and contemporary Native American
literature including oral narratives, folktales,
poetry, short stories, essays and the novel.
Methods of literary analysis will be explored
to assist students in determining the meaning
and function of the various genre.
NAS
400 - 1 credit
Seminar
Topics offered at the upper division level which
are not covered in regular courses. Students
participate in preparing and presenting discussion
material.
NAS
430 - 3 credits
American Indian Education
Historical development and contemporary directions
in American Indian education, values and assumptions
inherent in programs devised at the state and
federal levels and their results, the cultural
basis of Indian education and selected materials
appropriate to the various educational levels.
NAS
470 Individual Problems 1-3 credits
Directed research and study on an individual
basis.
NAS
476 - 2-12 credits
Internship
An individualized assignment arranged with an
agency, business or other organization to provided
guided experience in the field.
NAS
480 - 1-3 credits
Special Topics
Courses not required in any curriculum for which
there is a particular one time need, or given
on a trial basis to determine acceptability,
and demand before requesting a regular course
number.
NAS
489/490 - 1-3 credits
Directed Undergraduate Research
Upper division directed research and study on
an individual basis.
