Native American Studies’ First Year Seminar introduces students to tenured faculty working on understanding how the nation has grappled with race, gender, nationalism, and international politics. These classes are small (maximum 20 students) and provide an in-depth look at understanding issues facing Native Americans today.

Each Native American Studies First Year Seminar offers a unique and tailored experience based on the particular approach of the faculty member. Overall, though, students will grapple with interdisciplinary approaches that combine literature, history, art, and media studies to understand Native Americans’ experiences and representations within the United States. Students will pay particular attention to the creation, meaning, and methodologies that inform various branches of Native American Studies as an academic field. They will consider Native American Studies' relationship to American Culture. Likely topics that will be considered include law, religion, sexuality, gender, fiction, drama, film, advertising, music, and/or other forms of popular culture. Students learn how scholars develop research questions that are particularly salient to Native Americans’ lives.

Course Requirements:

Papers, exams, and journals (dependent upon instructor).

Intended Audience:

First-year students, including those with sophomore standing.

Class Format:

First Year Seminar