Native American and Indigenous Studies Minor

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All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice.

The Minor

The Native American and indigenous studies minor provides an expansive introduction to the histories, lifeways, and cultures of Native American and indigenous communities in the United States with comparative examples from indigenous communities across the world. Drawing on course offerings in ethnic studies, history, literature, oceanography, physics, theatre and dance, and other departments, students gain an understanding of the first peoples of San Diego and the United States. The minor is open to all students from all majors and colleges. Among the benefits of the NAIS minor are:

A stronger understanding of Kumeyaay, California Native, and Native American/indigenous history and culture in California, the United States, and globally.
A critical examination into the legal status of Native American and indigenous peoples, particularly under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UN-DRIP).
A comparative and relational analysis of the construction of race, ethnicity, and cultural difference in indigenous communities precontact and postcontact.
An essential introduction to urgent contemporary issues such as climate change, sovereignty, religious freedom, land and water rights, health, education, and mixed-race identity.
An engagement with written, visual, oral, auditory, tactile, and other forms of instruction that encourages growth and strength in student writing, reading, comprehension, and critical thinking skills.
Unique preparation for future graduate and professional work with Native American and indigenous communities.

Requirements for the Minor

Lower-Division Core Courses (two courses/eight units)

ASTR 60. Antiracism in Physics and Astronomy

ETHN 1. Introduction to Ethnic Studies: Land and Labor

LTEN 31. Indigenous Literature

Upper-Division Electives (five courses/twenty units)

ETHN 110. Cultural Worldviews of Indigenous America

ETHN 111. Native American Literature

ETHN 112A. History of Native American and Indigenous Peoples in the US I

ETHN 112B. History of Native American and Indigenous Peoples in the US II

ETHN 112C. California Native American History

ETHN 113. Decolonizing Education

ETHN 114A. Representing Native America

ETHN 114B. Representing Native America—Exhibition Design

ETHN 130 (cross-listed with HIUS 158). Social and Economic History of the Southwest I

ETHN 160. Global Indigenous Studies

ETHN 162. Practicum in California Tribal Law and Journalism

ETHN 163E. Decolonial Theory

ETHN 163F (cross-listed with TDGE 131). Playing Indian: Native American and First Nations Cinema

ETHN 163FR (cross-listed with TDGE 131). Playing Indian: Native American and First Nations Cinema

ETHN 163G (cross-listed with TDHT 120). Indigenous Theatre and Performance

GLBH 139 (cross-listed with ANSC 139). Native American Health

HIUS 108A. History of Native Americans in the United States I

HIUS 114A. California History, 1542–1850

HIUS 114B. California History, 1850–Present

HIUS 158 (cross-listed with ETHN 130). Social and Economic History of the Southwest I

HILA 145. People and Nature in Amazonia: An Unwritten History

LIGN 152. Indigenous Languages of the Americas

PHYS 192. Senior Seminar on Indigenous Science

ENVR 102. Environmental Law and Federal Policies in Indian Country

ENVR 102. Indigenous Approaches to Climate Change

ENVR 111. Environmental Law and Federal Indian Policy

ENVR 152. Indigenous Approaches to Climate Change

TDGE 131 (cross-listed with ETHN 163FR). Playing Indian: Native American and First Nations Cinema

TDHT 120. Indigenous Theatre and Performance