American Indian Studies:

The Department of Indian Studies

 

Created in 1977, the University of North Dakota Department of Indian Studies is the only academic unit in the North Dakota University System offering a Bachelor's degree in American Indian / Native American Studies.

Part of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department awards a major and minor in Indian Studies leading to a bachelor of arts degree in Indian Studies. Students who want to graduate with a major or minor in Indian Studies take courses on historic and contemporary Native American societies. They also explore theoretical concepts pertaining to these indigenous societies, and in comparison to the more dominant societies in North America.

We teach the skills that employers want. A good liberal arts education, teaching critical thinking, writing, and research skills, is more important today than ever. Our goals for students are that they learn to carefully apply knowledge in complex, differing situations, and are prepared for lifelong careers of learning, thinking, and listening to a variety of perspectives.

Knowledge of indigenous societies should be part of any American and Canadian curriculum, not only because without it, an understanding of these nations' history is impossible, but also because aboriginal nations will play an increasingly important role in North American societies. The department has created a curriculum that serves both, majors and minors and also students - undergraduates as well as graduate students - from other departments who want to gain specific knowledge about how their fields relate to indigenous peoples and their situations. Many of the faculty are also members of the graduate faculty and can advise and teach graduate students in other disciplines who are working on specific American Indian-related research.

We have high academic standards. Because we are a small department, we can make time to regularly meet with students individually to help them reach their goals.

If you would like to know more about the Department of Indian Studies, please contact us directly.