American Indian and Indigenous Studies | IDS

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences recognizes that students' academic and professional interests may include more than one discipline and that some majors are not formally available at the university. Because interdisciplinary approaches, research, and curricular activities are becoming increasingly appropriate and valuable within the liberal arts and sciences and other fields, UF students have the option to develop and pursue interdisciplinary (IDS) majors that cross the boundaries of numerous disciplines.

About this Program

Department Information

Anthropology lies at the intersection of the multiple approaches to the study of humankind that characterize other disciplines – biological, social, cultural, historical, linguistic, cognitive, material, technological and aesthetic – because of its unique holistic perspective. These multiple approaches are encapsulated in the four traditional subfields that have composed the discipline since its establishment in the 19th century: cultural, archaeological, biological and linguistic anthropology.
More Info | Website

CONTACT

Email | 352.392.2253

P.O. BOX 117305
1112 TURLINGTON HALL
GAINESVILLE FL 32611-7305
Map

Curriculum

Related Programs

The Department of Anthropology, the Department of Religion, and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences have established a concentration in American Indian and Indigenous Studies (IDS-AIIS). The AIIS concentration is an extension of the minor and is open to all students with an interest in American Indian topics.

The concentration offers courses which cut across all disciplines, including anthropology, botany, geology, history, Latin American studies, religion, and wildlife studies. This concentration deals with the issues and concerns of indigenous peoples. Students will have the opportunity to pursue research, write a senior thesis and prepare themselves for graduate work in the field of American Indian and/or indigenous studies.

The interdisciplinary studies major with a concentration in American Indian and indigenous studies provides students with knowledge of the issues and concerns of indigenous peoples of the Western hemisphere. Students will be able to identify and conduct research or field work and understand historical, political, social and religious structures from an indigenous perspective. Students will evaluate the significance, quality and veracity of information gathered in the literature and to apply it effectively. Students will also be able articulate the results of research clearly and effectively.

Before Graduating Students Must

  • Satisfactorily complete IDS 4906 (capping 7-12 credits of thesis research), graded according to department rubric.
  • Complete requirements for the baccalaureate degree, as determined by faculty.

Students in the Major Will Learn to

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs)

Content

  1. Identify, describe and define major issues of indigenous peoples and conduct research in any of the disciplines which incorporate American Indian topics.

Critical Thinking

  1. Integrate different sources and types of knowledge into holistic perspectives about indigenous peoples.
  2. Evaluate the significance, quality and veracity of information gathered in the literature and apply it effectively.

Communication

  1. Articulate research results clearly and effectively in speech and in writing in an accepted style of presentation.

Curriculum Map

I = Introduced; R = Reinforced; A = Assessed

Courses SLO 1 SLO 2 SLO 3 SLO 4
IDS 4906, course 1 I, R, A I, R, A I, R, A I, R, A
IDS 4906, course 2 I, R, A I, R, A I, R, A I, R, A
IDS 4906 is the only required course for this major (or equivalent with other prefixes)

Assessment Types

  • Direct assessment of research in the thesis