MSU-Northern: Native American Studies

College of Education, Arts & Sciences, and Nursing

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College of Education, Arts & Sciences and Nursing
MSU-Northern
P.O. Box 7751
Havre, MT 59501-7751
406.265.3735

Location:
Cowan Hall 105A

Program Sheet

Native American Studies

Program Overview

The purpose of Native American Studies Minor (NAS) is to prepare students to careers dealing with Native American affairs and issues, esp. in local Indian reservations, and to broaden students’ Liberal Studies education and their civic preparation.

NAS minor is perfect for students majoring in Education, Community Services, History and Liberal Studies, among other disciplines.

The purpose of Native American Studies is to fill entering students’ obvious lack of exposure to cultural diversity, a requirement mandatory for many students, esp. those preparing to become teachers in a state where Native Americans form the largest ethnic minority.

Upon completing the Native American Studies minor the students will be able to:

Demonstrate a working knowledge of Native American cultures, history, literature and present political set-up of Native communities (NASX 105, 310, 376, 450);
Describe and compare the political, socio-economic, spiritual and traditional aspects of more than two Native American groups (NASX 105, 235, 310, 450);
Analyze social problems, social structures and human behaviors of Native Americans (NASX 105, 310, 450);
Understand how generalizations and inaccuracies have led and lead to prejudice that has negatively affected Native American life (NASX 105, 376, 450).

Assessment methods

Instructors’ evaluation of student learning is based on three main categories:

Written evaluation, which measures students’ ability to express themselves through short and longer assignments, to analyze and critically review texts in question;
Oral class participation, which measures students’ ability to express their thoughts on the assigned topics and issues regarding Native American presence and past;
Written examinations, which measure students’ ability to understand the basic concepts and to express in written format their thoughts and thinking on key issues of Native American Studies.

Evaluation is specifically geared toward meeting the above four program outcomes. Testing is both sufficiently specific and broad to measure students’ ability to obtain skills necessary to have a successful career dealing with Native American issues. Satisfactory fulfillment of course requirements will demonstrate students’ ability to advance to their professional field. Many recent MSU-Northern graduates with NAS minor have been hired by local Native American governments to fill professional positions necessary for tribal success.

NAS Minor Requirements

Course Prefix	#	Course Title	Credits
NASX	105	Introduction to Native American Studies (CAT V)	3
NASX	120	Native American Language I
		OR
NASX	121	Native American Language II	3
NASX	232	Montana Indians: Cultures, Histories, Current Issues	3
NASX	235	Oral & Written Traditions of Native Americans (CAT V)
		OR
NASX	340	Native American Literature (CAT V)	3
NASX	310	Native Cultures of North America (CAT V)	3
NASX	376	Federal Indian Law & Policy (CAT V)	3
NASX	450	History of American Indians (CAT V)	3
		Total credits required for minor:	21

Course Descriptions

NASX 105 Introuction to Native American Studies
3 semester credits
Interdisciplinary treatment of Native American studies. Provides general background and understanding of American Indian cultures.

NASX 120 Native American Language I
3 semester credits
Introduction to one of several Native American languages, concentrating on simple conversations and the relationship of language to culture. The particular language to be studied will vary depending on availability of instruction. Taught by Native speakers, two semesters of NASX 120 (six semester credits).

NASX 121 Native American Language II
3 semester credits
NASX 121 is a continuation of Introduction to Native American Language concentrating on conversations and the relationship of language to culture. The particular language to be studied will vary depending on availability of instruction. Prerequisite: NASX 120.

NASX 232 Montana Indians: Cultures, Histories, Current Issues
3 semester credits
This course will deal with several major issues: One, the U.S.Canada international border cuts between Native territories due to international negotiations in which Natives had no role. How has the border affected, and how does it continue to affect, their lives? Two, the histories and cultures of Montana's seven reservations and twelve Native groups vary and are complicated. The histories of the people and the reservations will be covered. Three, the course will include bringing in elders from the Hi-Line reservations to tell the cultures, traditions and present issues from their perspectives.

NASX 235 Oral & Written Traditions of Native Americans
3 semester credits
A study of the oral traditions of various American Indian cultures, including examination of Indian language families, oral history traditions, oral literature, ritual and spiritual observances, together with English translations of Indian memoirs, autobiographies, and religious works.

NASX 304 Native American Beliefs and Philosophy
3 semester credits
The sacred customs, traditions and beliefs of Native Americans have been, and are, greatly misunderstood by the mainstream society. The introduction within the boundaries of Native American practices and beliefs will apply to debates of classroom presentations. The class will concentrate on the plains tribes in Montana and Canada, on tribal spiritual leaders and practitioners and on the U.S. Supreme Court decisions.

NASX 310 Native Cultures of North America
3 semester credits
Background on the extent and diversity of Native American cultural groups in North America, including languages, geographic locations of cultural groups, and the material, spiritual, and artistic cultures of American Indian tribal groups.

NASX 340 Native American Literature
3 semester credits
A critical examination of a representative number of major works by non-Native Americans about Native Americans and major works by Native Americans. Topics include stereotyping, segregation, prejudice, and the roles of Native Americans in American society. Readings include mythology, poetry, essays, novels, and non-fiction.

NASX 376 Federal Indian Law & Policy
3 semester credits
Treats the present applications and precedents of Federal Indian law and its historical development, including Indian treaties, tribal sovereignty, jurisdictional disputes, tribal and state powers of taxation, economic and environmental controls, and real property interests.

NASX 450 History of American Indians
3 semester credits
History of American Indians from Pre-Columbian times to the present, with special emphasis on demographic shifts caused by encroaching European and American westward expansion, and relationships between Native Americans and immigrants.

Advisor

Jaakko Puisto
Office: Cowan Hall 306E
Phone: (406) 265-3595

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Program Sheet