2026-2027 Course Catalog

Source: https://catalog.illinois.edu/undergraduate/las/minors/american-indian-studies/ Parent: https://catalog.illinois.edu/degree-programs/undergraduate_index/

for the Undergraduate Minor in American Indian Studies

American Indian Studies (AIS) prepares students in a range of methodologies, theories, technologies, and teaching approaches that compliments a thorough undergraduate education.

Specifically, an undergraduate minor is designed to assist students in preparing for graduate school or for careers in a variety of pursuits including public and business administration, education, public relations, marketing, politics, and government, especially as they relate to American Indian and Native American constituencies. Career opportunities also exist in agencies such as Indian Health Services, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Bureau of Land Management.

For many, AIS is an ideal minor that presents a critical and intellectual foundation for success in an increasingly challenging world.

American Indian Studies (AIS) is an interdisciplinary program with four subject areas:

1. Culture, Identity, Ethics, and Community
2. Sovereignty, Governance, and Politics
3. Literature, Language, and Performance
4. Colonialism, Decolonization, and Indigeneity

The courses chosen must form a coherent program of study and be approved by an AIS advisor.

for the Undergraduate Minor in American Indian Studies

Course List

 | Code | Title | Hours |

| --- | --- | --- | | Foundation Courses | | | | AIS 101 | Intro to American Indian Studies | 3 | | AIS 102 | | 3 | | Subject Area Courses | | | | Students must complete 12 hours selected from 3 of the 4 subject areas. | | 12 | | Culture, Identity, Ethics, and Community | | | | AIS 140 | Native Religious Traditions | | | AIS 165 | Lang & Culture Native North Am | | | AIS 288 | American Indians of Illinois | | | Sovereignty, Governance, and Politics | | | | AAS 215 | US Citizenship Comparatively | | | HIST 277 | Encounters in Native America | | | HIST 278 | Native American History | | | AIS 280 | Intro to Federal Indian Policy | | | AIS 430 | | | | Literature, Language, and Performance | | | | AIS 265 | Intro to American Indian Lit | | | AIS 275 | Am Indian and Indigenous Film | | | AIS 451 | | | | AIS 459 | Topics in American Indian Lit | | | AIS 461 | | | | Colonialism, Decolonization, and Indigeneity | | | | AIS 285 | Indigenous Thinkers | | | AIS 481 | History of American Indian Education | | | Total Hours | | 18 |

Only three courses (9 hours total) at the 100-level may be counted toward the minor.  Students also are required to complete two courses (6 hours) at the 300- or 400-level.  These advanced course credits must be distinct from credit earned for the student’s major or another minor

for the Undergraduate Minor in American Indian Studies

American Indian Studies Program

American Indian Studies faculty\ ais@illinois.edu

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Overview of College Admissions & Requirements: Liberal Arts & Sciences\