The Department of Anthropology 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

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

Communication

4. 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

Assessment Types

• Direct assessment of research in the thesis