Department of History and American Indian Studies

Uncovering the past and reimagining the future

From the earliest days at UND, history faculty have played an important part in preparing students to be engaged citizens of their communities, the state, and the world. Our American Indian Studies faculty partner with Indigenous nations throughout North Dakota.

Today the department remains committed to teaching the past and building a better future. Our students develop the reading, writing, and critical thinking skills necessary to contribute to an increasingly global world. Each faculty member is an active researcher in their respective fields, and bring fresh perspectives on different cultures and ideas into the classes they teach.

We are the only academic unit in the North Dakota University System offering a Bachelor's degree in American Indian / Native American Studies.

Our Programs

Undergraduate Degree

Undergraduate Minors & Certificates

• Minor in History
• Understand the past and how it impacts the present by adding a minor in History.
• Minor in American Indian Studies
• Supplement your education with a minor in American Indian Studies by understanding the culture, perspectives and history of Indigenous peoples.
• Public History Certificate
• Be in demand by gaining a broader understanding of public history. This certificate will enable you to demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities that are valued within your profession.
• Native Health & the Humanities Certificate
• Earn your Native Health & The Humanities certificate and improve healthcare diversity, equity and inclusion. Learn through the lens of history and culture, while honing your research, analysis and communication skills in the health humanities field.

History & American Indian Studies Faculty and Research

History programs are supported by a faculty whose research interests span periods of American, Ancient, European, and African history. Faculty approach their fields using different methods, with an emphasis on social, cultural, gender, and intellectual history. Faculty and student research draw upon textual analysis, the study of material culture, quantitative methods, and oral history to bring the past alive.

Both undergraduate and graduate students work closely with History or American Indian Studies faculty to complete independent research projects on topics of their choosing. The department also promotes engagement with the discipline through internship opportunities, a regional archive with collections of national significance, the largest library between Minneapolis and Seattle, the history honor society Phi Alpha Theta, and public lectures.

Department Mission

The Department of History and American Indian Studies seeks to engage students, the university community and public audiences in critical analysis of the past and in American Indian peoples and cultures to promote cultural literacy and inform our society's future. Through research, teaching, and service, the Department promotes social engagement and the critical thinking skills that are the heart of liberal arts education; an education that equips students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the modern world.