The Native American Studies Center was founded in 1970 as a support program for Native American students at The University of New Mexico. In 1980, the Native American Studies Center became two units: Native American Studies (NAS) and American Indian Student Services. In September 1998, NAS became an interdisciplinary academic program housed in University College. In 1999, the undergraduate minor in Native American Studies was approved. The Native American Studies minor is applicable to all undergraduate majors offered by The University of New Mexico.
In December 2004, the UNM Board of Regents approved Native American Studies as an undergraduate major within University College. In February 2018, the State of New Mexico Board of Finance approved the addition of the Master of Arts degree in Native American Studies. As an interdisciplinary academic department, Native American Studies is committed to Native academic scholarship and research excellence. Our goal is to educate and inform students about the Native experience that comes from the rich cultural heritage of the sovereign Indigenous peoples of the United States. Another goal is to create a department that collaborates with Native communities and engages students in nation building.
UNM-NAS provides a range of academic resources for the student, the University community, and the larger Native American community. In keeping with the Memorandum of Understanding with New Mexico Indian Tribes, UNM-NAS program places particular emphasis on addressing community-based education, research and leadership development needs of New Mexico Indian communities. UNM-NAS is organized into three major components: Academic, Research and Community.
Courses
NATV 1150.
Introduction to Native American Studies.
(3)
This course surveys the significance of Native American Studies through an inter-disciplinary approach to two areas of academic concentration: Indigenous Learning Communities, and Leadership and Building Native Nations.
Meets New Mexico General Education Curriculum Area 5: Humanities.
NATV 2110.
Sociopolitical Concepts in Native America.
(3)
This course examines a body of politics identified with Native America specific to historical and contemporary relevance for understanding Native American/Indigenous/American Indian nations and communities. Students are challenged to identify issues and debates based on selected readings, films; case examples; and guest presentations to engage in informed discussions about the socio-political experience of Native Americans within the U.S. and indigenous peoples internationally, including ‘global’ activist movements. The course will use a seminar discussion format to present key (theoretical-methodological) approaches to developing a critical understanding of social and political issues impacting Native Americans today. To make the ‘intangible’ i.e., thinking, values, and belief systems but not limited to policies and political behavior, cultural expression that result in tangible actions affecting Native American peoples. Students are expected to develop and refine their skills in articulating verbal and written critiques of sociopolitical concepts identified.
NATV 2140.
Research Issues in Native America.
(3)
In this course, you will critically examine research theories, methodologies, and practices of various academic disciplines used to study Native Americans. You will review research databases and collections pertaining to Native Americans. The course focuses on developing your research skills and places an emphasis on the impact and value of research for Native communities.
Pre- or corequisite: 1150 or 2110.
NATV 2315 [315].
Indigenous Language Revitalization and Community Renewal [Language Recovery, Revitalization and Community Renewal].
(3)
Examines Indigenous language change from the boarding school era to current trends in language planning and revitalization. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of language to culture and on current community renewal efforts by Indigenous people.
NATV 255.
Topics.
(1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Topics courses taught by Native and non-Native faculty from The University of New Mexico and the community, varying according to instructor’s expertise. May be repeated as topic varies.
NATV 300.
Research Methods in Native American Contexts.
(3)
Examination of the research processes and techniques involving various methodological designs. Emphasizes attention to culturally appropriate research and protocols for conducting research in Native communities. Includes practical experience conducting a research project involving Native American issues.
Prerequisite: 2140.
NATV 305.
Indigenous Self-Determination in Education.
(3)
Examines the role of Indigenous people and communities in self-determining their education by redefining educational approaches and curriculum for Indigenous students. Special emphasis on resistance to assimilation practices and policies.
NATV 325.
Tribal Government.
(3)
While emphasizing the study of traditional American Indian society in comparison with government models of the United States, the course examines the governing structure of Indian tribes from both a historical and contemporary perspective.
NATV 326.
Tribal Gaming.
(3)
This course covers the law and the politics of gaming as an exercise of tribal sovereignty, and examines tribal, state, and federal interests involved in the uniquely tribal enterprise of Native Nation building.
NATV 348.
Native American Activism.
(3)
Inter-disciplinary examination of the histories, strategies, successes, and shortcomings of Native American activist movements. Course focuses on pan-Indian organizations, localized grassroots movements, treaty rights, anti-treaty rights organizations, and inter-nationalist alliances.
NATV 351.
Individual Study.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Directed study of Native American Studies topics of personal interest by the student. Student must approach the instructor the semester before enrollment to develop a plan of study. A formal presentation and paper are required.
Prerequisite: 300.
Restriction: admitted to B.A. Native American Studies or minor in Native American Studies; and permission of instructor.
NATV 352.
Internship.
(1-6 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Internships in off-campus learning experiences related to the study of Native American cultures. Students, in collaboration with their Senior Academic Advisor, may select a sponsoring institution or program to oversee internship.
NATV 385.
Indigenous Worldviews.
(3)
This course offers an inter-disciplinary academic exploration of perspectives on Indigenous arts and literature, cultures, education, language, and language re-vitalization. The environment and the emerging international legal norm of self-determination for Indigenous peoples are also examined.
NATV 402 / 502.
Education, Power and Indigenous Communities.
(3)
How economic, political and social power influences the education of indigenous youth is the emphasis of the course. Topics include who defines the concept of an “educated person” and in what contexts.
NATV 423/523 [*423].
Self-Determination and Indigenous Human Rights.
(3)
Analyzes the emerging norm of self-determination and its impact on indigenous peoples in the international legal system. Colonization, liberation, and the political futures of culturally distinct peoples are examined from inter-disciplinary perspectives.
NATV 424 / 524.
Principles of Leadership in Indigenous Contexts.
(3)
Will gain a critical understanding of theoretical concepts and frameworks of leadership from a Western and Indigenous perspective. Examine both historical and contemporary tribal leadership (including global) and address issues impacting their communities.
NATV *436.
Environmental Ethics and Justice in Native America.
(3)
Complex ways in which Native peoples form relationships with their environment are examined. Differences and similarities between Native and dominant cultural conceptions of the environment and environmental justices are considered within an inter-disciplinary context.
NATV 445/545.
Politics of Identity.
(3)
Examines Native identities in law, biology, culture, and via self-identification within an inter-disciplinary context. Discussion will focus on federal intrusions, misappropriations, and adaptations that strengthen the sovereignty of Native Nations.
NATV *450.
Topics in Native American Studies.
(1-3 to a maximum of 12 Δ)
Topics courses taught by faculty from The University of New Mexico and the surrounding community which vary according to the instructor’s expertise.
{Fall, Spring}
NATV *461.
Community-Based Learning in Indigenous Contexts.
(3)
Explores the meanings of “Indigenous education” through current scholarship and through active participation in a community-based setting. Examines Indigenous educational traditions and their applications for contemporary practices while engaging in community-based learning and service.
NATV *462.
Native American Oral Tradition and Language Reclamation.
(3)
Native American stories function much like food for the soul. Students will learn an inter-disciplinary context how ancestral and contemporary stories, oral and written, continue to represent the thoughts, values and life ways of Native people.
NATV *474.
Seminar: Applying Traditions of Native American Philosophy.
(3)
An examination of philosophical thought by Native peoples in both historic and modern context in science, government, law, education, psychology, and cosmology. Native social systems and Native philosophical contributions to the world’s societies are examined.
NATV *480.
Building Native Nations: Community Revitalization, Culture, Decolonization, and Indigenous Thought.
(3)
This course critically engages Indigenous community revitalization dynamics and its relationship to culture, Indigenous thought, and decolonization. Principals relating to political sovereignty, cultural self-determination, economic viability, social and economic justice, and strategic planning underlie the notion of Nation Building for Native people.
NATV 502 / 402.
Education, Power and Indigenous Communities.
(3)
How economic, political and social power influences the education of indigenous youth is the emphasis of the course. Topics include who defines the concept of an “educated person” and in what contexts.
NATV 510.
Individual Study.
(1 to 6, may be repeated twice Δ)
This course provides graduate students with the opportunity to work one-on-one with an instructor to facilitate a rigorous study of a subject or the completion of a project.
NATV 522.
Indigenous Community Approaches in Restorative Justice.
(3)
Explores the existence of Indigenous frameworks of restorative justice. The impact of Western structures and EuroAmerican colonization is critiqued. The course centers upon the importance of Indigenous restorative justice in community building for self-determination.
NATV 523/423 [*423].
Self-Determination and Indigenous Human Rights.
(3)
Analyzes the emerging norm of self-determination and its impact on indigenous peoples in the international legal system. Colonization, liberation, and the political futures of culturally distinct peoples are examined from inter-disciplinary perspectives.
NATV 524 / 424.
Principles of Leadership in Indigenous Contexts.
(3)
Will gain a critical understanding of theoretical concepts and frameworks of leadership from a Western and Indigenous perspective. Examine both historical and contemporary tribal leadership (including global) and address issues impacting their communities.
NATV 530.
Gender and Indigenous Leadership.
(3)
The course critically explores the roles gender has played traditionally in tribal and Indigenous communities, how/or if colonization has impacted those norms and roles, and understanding contemporary leadership roles on tribal, national, and international levels.
NATV 535.
Issues in Contemporary Native Leadership.
(3)
Critically examines contemporary issues and perspectives on Native leadership. Topics covered include contemporary Native community issues, traditional leadership elements and methodologies, leadership challenges, and nation-building leadership approaches.
NATV 540.
Indigenous Economies, Sustainability, and Environmental Protection.
(3)
Critically examines the complex systems Native peoples are a part of and form with their environment and way of life. Economic development, sustainable practices, environmental protection, and community revitalization dynamics are analyzed.
NATV 545/445.
Politics of Identity.
(3)
Examines Native identities in law, biology, culture, and via self-identification within an inter-disciplinary context. Discussion will focus on federal intrusions, misappropriations, and adaptations that strengthen the sovereignty of Native Nations.
NATV 550.
Indigenous Nations and Sustainable Communities Seminar.
(3)
Will examine how Indigenous peoples have come to their current reality and how they may move forward in adapting, revitalizing, and sustaining Indigenous community and the present and into the future.
NATV 551.
Problems.
(1 to 3, may be repeated twice Δ)
Intensive, directed study at the graduate level of particular topics and issues pertaining to the field of Native American Studies. Permission of the Department Graduate Director required prior to registration.
NATV 555.
Native American Policy and Community Building.
(3)
Critically engages Native policy and community building dynamics. Principles relating to political sovereignty, cultural self-determination, economic sustainability, social and economic justice, and strategic planning underlie the notion of Native policy development and community building.
NATV 560.
Research Method and Practice in Indigenous Scholarship.
(3)
Critically examines research theories, methodologies, and practices in Native American Studies. Diverse research methods are explored, with emphasis on decolonizing approaches and the impact and value of research for Native communities.
NATV 570.
Indigenous Thought and Ethics.
(3)
Introduces students to diverse and complex theoretical and contextual perspectives in Native American Studies through and examination of the most significant contemporary scholarship. Transcends disciplinary boundaries and grounds scholarly inquiry in frameworks reflecting Native-centered ethics.
NATV 590.
Project of Excellence.
(3 or 6, may be repeated once Δ)
Graduate students are required to complete. Demonstrate accumulation of a theoretical foundation that can be successfully applied to address a target topic or issue relevant to a particular Native community, inter/national audience or indigenous group/organization.
Prerequisite: 560 and 570.
NATV 595.
Topics in Native American Studies.
(3, may be repeated twice Δ)
Specialized topics taught by the Native American Studies department faculty from UNM and the surrounding community which vary according to the instructor's expertise. Subject areas can include but not limited to education, identity, environment, and decolonization.
