Native American Studies

(Also offered as AFST, CCS, SUST, WMST 109)

The course explores historical and contemporary social forces that impact ethnic communities across the Americas. Students will examine social and economic dynamics of Indigenous, Latino, Asian-Pacific, Africana communities, and women's experiences.

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.

(Also offered as AMST 201, CCS 201)        

Introductory survey of the Mexican American experience in the United States, with special reference to New Mexico. Exploration of historical, political, social, and cultural dimensions.

Native American art and artists within political, social and cultural contexts are introduced through an examination of the history of representations of Native art.

Regional, national, and international laws and policies impacting sovereign Native American nations and communities are analyzed. Concepts such as colonization, nationalism, and globalization’s impact on Native American peoples are considered from an inter-disciplinary perspective.

Pre- or corequisite: 150.

Critically examines research theories, methodologies, and practices used by academic disciplines to study Native Americans. Research databases and collections and their impact and value for Native communities are considered from an inter-disciplinary perspective.

Pre- or corequisite: 150 or 250.

(Also offered as AMST 252)

Introductory survey of Native American history, culture and contemporary issues. Students read literature by and about Native Americans covering a variety of topics including tribal sovereignty, federal policy, activism, economic development, education and community life.

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.

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: 251.

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.

Examines Native language loss 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 Native people.

Principles and basic doctrines of Federal Indian Law are examined within an inter-disciplinary context.

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.

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.

(Also offered as HIST 348)

This course will offer a brief overview of Native America from World War II to the present. It will address issues of termination/relocation, and finish with Indian self-determination from the 1960's forward.

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.

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 NATV major or minor and permission of instructor.

Internships in off-campus learning experiences related to the study of Native American cultures. Students, in collaboration with NATV Senior Academic Advisor, may select a sponsoring institution or program to oversee internship.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Restriction: junior or senior standing.

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}

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.

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.

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.

Restriction: junior or senior standing.

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.

Restriction: junior or senior standing.

This course critically examines contemporary and traditional perspectives on Indigenous leadership. Also, the course will theorize on indigenous leadership development. The topics covered include overviews of Indigenous philosophy, Indigenous community, and Indigenous leadership.

Restriction: junior or senior standing.