Department of Native American Studies
Dave Beck, Chair
Native American Studies is an academic discipline committed to examining the contemporary and past experiences and life ways of the first Americans from their perspective. The curriculum is designed to provide a study of American Indians from a holistic and humanistic viewpoint by focusing upon their cultures, history, and contemporary life. Courses are designed for both Native American and non Native American students so they can better understand human similarities and differences, thereby leading to more effective work with and within tribal communities, through stronger knowledge bases of tribal America, and the development of better communications and cross-cultural relationships.
The Native American Studies major supports the objectives of a liberal arts education. It is interdisciplinary and provides a perspective that critically analyzes and evaluates the strengths and limitations of each contributing discipline.
Special Degree Requirements
Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.
For the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Native American Studies, students must complete a minimum of 39 credits, 30 credits in Native American studies plus nine elective credits which can be met within the department or out-of-department. The required courses are: NASX 105H, 280, 201X, 235X, 303E, 304E, 306X or 475X, 494 (NAS 100H, 200, 201X, 202X, 301E, 303E, 341S or 400X, 494), and two of the following: NASX 464X, 465X, and 466X (NAS 464X, 465X and 466X).
Beyond these 30 credits in Native American Studies, students have the option to take an additional 17 credits as electives for a maximum of 47 credits in Native American Studies courses. These electives include NASX 141 (NAS 141), 142 (NAS 142), 191 (NAS 195), 210X (NAS 210X), 231X (NAS 231X), 291 (NAS 295), 306X (NAS 341S), 340 (NAS 329), 354X (NAS 324H), 360 (NAS 344), 388 (NAS 388), 391 (NAS 395), 394 (NAS 394), 403 (NAS 403), 430 (NAS 300), 475x (NAS 400X), 488 (NAS 410l), 491 (NAS 496), 499 (NAS 499), and one of the following: NASX 464X, 465x, and 466X (NAS 464X, 465X, and 466X).
The credits may also be chosen from the following out-of-department courses: ANTY 122S, 323X, 330X (ANTH 102S, 323X, 330X); HSTR 367, 369 and HSTA 455 (formerly HIST 365, 366, and 467).
The Upper-division Writing Expectation must be met by successfully completing an upper-division writing course from the approved list in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog. See index.
As part of the major's liberal arts and interdisciplinary focus, all students completing the major must complete a minor in another field. The department recommends cognate areas of study for the minor including anthropology, history, sociology, and political science. Students also are encouraged to pursue a double major. The department recommends a compatible major in one of the following disciplines: anthropology, english, modern or classical languages and literatures, history, linguistics, political science, sociology, or social work. Students who pursue a second major are not required to complete a minor in addition to the second major.
Suggested Course of Study
| First Year |
A |
S |
| WRIT 101 (ENEX 101) College Writing |
3 |
- |
| M 105 Contemporary Mathematics |
3 |
- |
| NASX 105H (NAS 100H) Introduction to Native American Studies |
3 |
- |
| NASX 201X (NAS 201X) Indian Culture as Expressed Through Language |
3 |
- |
| General Education |
3 |
9 |
| Electives |
- |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
15 |
| Second Year |
A |
S |
| NASX 280 (NAS 200) Native American Studies Research Theories & Methods |
3 |
- |
| NASX 235X (NAS 202X) Oral & Written Traditions of Native Americans |
3 |
- |
| General Education |
6 |
9 |
| Electives |
3 |
6 |
| Total |
15 |
15 |
| Third Year |
A |
S |
| NASX 304E (NAS 301E) Native American Beliefs & Philosophy |
3 |
- |
| NASX 303E (NAS 303E) Ecological Perspectives in Native American Traditions |
- |
3 |
| NASX 306X (NAS 341X) Contemporary Issues of American Indians or NASX 475X (NAS 400X) Tribal Sovereignty |
3 |
- |
| NASX 465X (NAS 465X) History of Indian Affairs in the 19th Century (Spring) or NASX 464 (NAS 464X) History of Indian Affairs to 1776 (Autumn) |
(3) |
(3) |
| Electives |
9 |
9 |
| Total |
15 |
15 |
| Fourth Year |
A |
S |
| NASX 465X (NAS 465X) History of Indian Affairs in the 19th Century (Spring) or NAS 466X (NAS 466X) History of Indian Affairs from 1890 (Autumn) |
(3) |
(3) |
| NASX 494 (NAS 494) Seminar/Workshop |
- |
3 |
| Electives |
12 |
12 |
| Total |
15 |
15 |
Requirements for a Minor
To earn a minor in Native American studies the student must complete a minimum of 21 credits of the following requirements:
- Complete NASX 105H, 235X, 304E, 303E (NAS 100H, 202X, 301E and 303E).
- Complete at least 9 credits of electives from the following approved cognate courses: ANTY 122S, 323X, 330X (ANTH 102S, 323, 330); HSTR 367, 369 (HIST 365, 366), HSTA 455 (HIST 467); NASX 141, 142, 191, 201X, 210X, 231X, 280, 291, 430, 354X, 340, 306X, 360, 388, 394, 391, 475X, 488, 465X, 466X, 491, and 499 (NAS 141, 142, 195, 201X, 210X, 231X, 200, 295, 300, 324X, 329, 341, 342, 344, 388, 394, 395, 400X, 410, 465, 466, 496 and 499).
Courses
U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R. Credits beyond this maximum do not count toward a degree.
Native American Studies (NASX)
U 105H (NAS 100H) Introduction to Native American Studies 3 cr. Offered Autumn and Spring. Survey course to acquaint the student with Native American Studies by a general overview of Indian history, culture, philosophy, religious beliefs and contemporary issues.
U 141 (NAS 141) Elementary Blackfoot I 4 cr. Offered intermittently autumn. An introduction to the Blackfoot language and culture. Students will learn how to write and read Blackfoot as well as how to conduct simple conversations.
U 142 (NAS 142) Elementary Blackfoot II 4 cr. Offered intermittently spring. Continuation of 141.
U 191 (NAS 195) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 198 (NAS 198) Internship/Cooperative Education Variable cr. (R-9)Offered by special arrangement. Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
U 201X (NAS 201X) Indian Culture as Expressed through Language 3 cr. Offered Autumn. This course has been designed to introduce students to a non-Western perspective of the relationship that exists between Indian cultures and their languages. Students will be exposed to various languages of American Indian peoples, and how through Native languages insight can be gained into history, traditions, and cultural life-ways of Indian peoples.
U 210X (NAS 210X) Native American Sports and Games 3 cr. Offered Autumn or Spring. Explores Native American sports and games, both traditional and modern. Through classroom learning and actual play, students gain an understanding of how play and competition have been vital to Native communities.
U 231X (NAS 231X) Indigenous World View Perspectives 3 cr. Offered Spring. Same as ANTY 231X (ANTH 231X). Examination of Indigenous belief systems, with regard to world views, religious ceremonies, cultural ways and the impact that Anglo-European culture has had upon these systems. Focus on Indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States
U 235X (NAS 202X) Oral & Written Traditions of Native Americas 3 cr. Offered Autumn and Spring. Analysis of the oral traditions of Native Americans including an introduction to the literary works of early leading American Indian writers.
U 260 Sustained Indigenous Community Development in Mexico, Canada and the United States 3 cr. Offered .This course introduces the student to concepts in indigenous/rural sustainable community development in the countries of North America in broad historical and cultural frameworks.
U 280 (NAS 200) Native American Studies Research Theories & Methods 3 cr. Offered Autumn. Prereq., NAS major or minor. Introduction to the Research materials pertaining to the study of American Indian peoples and cultures. Emphasis on current research trends and writing.
U 291 (NAS 295) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 303E (NAS 303E) Ecological Perspectives in Native American Traditions 3 cr. Offered Autumn and Spring. An examination of Native American environmental ethics and tribal and historical and contemporary use of physical environmental resources.
U 304E (NAS 301E) Native American Beliefs & Philosophy 3 cr. Offered Autumn and Spring. Same as RLST 300 (RELS 301E). A study of selected ethical systems; origins, world views; religious beliefs and the way they have been affected by western civilization.
U 306X (NAS 341X) Contemporary Issues of American Indians 3 cr. Offered Autumn. An examination of the major issues that affect the contemporary experiences of American Indians in both Canada and the United states.
U 340 (NAS 329) Native American Literature 3 cr. Offered Autumn. Prereq., three credits of lower-division LIT courses and NASX 105H or 235X (NAS 100H or 202X). Same as LIT 305 (ENLT 329). Selected readings from Native American Literature and criticism with emphasis on the literatures after the Native American literary Renaissance. A minimum of three genres covered and three culture areas.
U 354X (NAS 324X) Indians of Montana Since the Reservation Era 3 cr. Offered Autumn. Same as HSTA 354 (HIST 354H). Examination of the history of Montana Indians since the establishment of the reservations, contemporary conditions, and issues among both reservation and non-reservation Indian communities in the state. Special attention given to social and economic conditions, treaty rights, tribal sovereignty, and legal issues.
U 360 (NAS 344) Native Americans and Cinema 3 cr. Offered Autumn or Spring. Same as ENFM 344. Surveys the image of Native Americans in American film with an emphasis on "revisionist," or "breakthrough" films. Ultimate focus will be on films featuring Native American writers, directors and actors.
U 388 (NAS 388) Native American Health and Healing 3 cr. Offered alternate years. Examination of traditional and contemporary uses of medicine in Native American societies. Issues covered will include current health conditions of American Indians, and the relationship from a cultural perspective on health, healing and medicine.
U 391 (NAS 395) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered intermittently. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
U 394 (NAS 394) Workshop/Seminar Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Variable topics addressing Indian law, policy and culture by visiting scholars.
U 398 (NAS 398) Internship/Cooperative Education Variable cr. (R-6) Offered by special arrangement. Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office. A maximum of 6 credits of Internship (198, 298, 398, 498) may count toward graduation.
UG 403 (NAS 403) Contemporary Tribal Resource Issues 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Acquaints students with contemporary tribal resource management and environmental policies.
UG 430 (NAS 300) American Indian Education 3 cr. Offered intermittently. An overview of American Indian education including a look at the unique needs of Indian children.
UG 464X (NAS 464X ) History of Indian Affairs to 1776 3 cr. Offered Autumn. Same as HSTA 465X (HIST 464H). A study of American Indian relations with Europeans and the United States from first contact to 1776.
UG 465X (NAS 465X) History of Indian Affairs in the 19th Century 3 cr. Offered Spring. Same as HSTA 452X (HIST 465H). A study of tribal encounters and adjustments to the American nations in the nineteenth century.
UG 466X (NAS 466X) History of Indian Affairs from 1890 3 cr. Offered Autumn. Same as HSTA 453X (HIST 466H). A study of tribal encounters and adjustments to the American nation from 1890.
UG 475X (NAS 400X) Tribal Sovereignty 3 cr. Offered Spring. Same as PSCI 475 (PSC 475). An examination of the evolution of tribal governments from a historical and political perspective. Particular attention is devoted to the issues of tribal sovereignty and tribal-state conflicts.
UG 488 (NAS 410) Studies in Native American Autobiography 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Same as LIT 429 (ENLT 429L). Prereq., LIT 300 (ENLT 301) or LIT 305/NASX 340 (ENLT305/NAS 329), or consent of instr. Study of texts that present a first-person story of Native American individual's life within historical and cultural contexts, with discussion of theories of autobiography.
UG 491 (NAS 496) Independent Study Variable cr. (R-6) Prereq., upper-division standing and consent of instr. Selected topics on American Indians under the direct supervision of a faculty member.
UG 492 (NAS 495) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Offered by special arrangement. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses or one-time offerings of current topics.
UG 494 (NAS 494) Seminar/Workshop (formerly Reading Seminar in Native American Studies) 3 cr. (R-6) Offered Spring. Prereq., NAS major or minor, 18 credits in NAS, and junior standing or higher. Senior reading capstone course for the review of past and current literature on and by American Indians.
UG 499 (NAS 499) Senior capstone Thesis (formerly Senior Thesis in Native American Studies) 3-9 cr. (R-9) Offered by special arrangement. Prereq., NAS major or minor, 18 credits in NAS, junior standing, and consent of instr. Independent research project in Native American Studies, supervised by a faculty member, and leading to completion of baccalaureate degree.
G 560 (NAS 560) Methods and Sources in Native American Studies 3 cr. Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr. Field observations, interviews, special collections, federal records, and library materials in Native American studies research and writing.
G 594 (NAS 594) Seminar in Native American Studies 1- 3 cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of instr.
G 595 (NAS 595) Special Topics Variable cr. (R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.
G 596 (NAS 596) Independent Study Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., graduate standing and consent of instr. Study of selected topics or problems on American Indians under the direct supervision of a faculty member.
G 598 (NAS 598) Internship Variable cr. (R-6) Offered intermittently. Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Internship Services office.
Faculty
Professors
David R.M. Beck, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago, 1994, Chair
Richmond L. Clow, Ph.D., University of New Mexico, 1977
S. Neyooxet Greymorning, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 1992
Kathryn W. Shanley, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1987
Associate Professor
Wade M. Davies, Ph.D., Arizona State University, 1998
Lecturer
George Price, Ph.D., The University of Montana, 2006
