First Nations Studies
(Bachelor of Arts)
First Nations Studies reflects the holistic worldview of the indigenous people of Turtle Island (North America). First Nations Studies is committed to the study of First Nations culture, philosophy, history, language, and the social, economic, and political status of indigenous people and their communities. The program is designed to preserve and promote the identity and sovereign status of indigenous people through the study and practice of decolonization. The program places particular emphasis on the nations in our region, the Western Great Lakes.
First Nations Studies incorporates the teaching and learning approaches of tribal people, offering students a new way to learn within the academy. The program places emphasis on the oral tradition of First Nations people as preserved and shared by tribal Elders. Students take part in oral traditional learning experiences within the university classroom and, also, in tribal communities learning from tribal people. First Nations Studies teaching and learning is centered on the four areas of learning in the tribal world – history, culture, sovereignty, laws and policies, and indigenous philosophy.
The program is of interest to both American Indian and non-Indian students who wish to learn more about the traditional cultures and knowledge of indigenous people as well as the changes experienced by First Nations as a result of Euro-American contact.
The program offers a major and a minor. The minor strengthens numerous degrees including those in Business, History, Education, Social Work, Psychology, and the natural and social sciences. The degrees prepare students to live and work in an increasingly diverse community and also equip students with skills to work collaboratively and effectively with tribal governments and businesses.
Major
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses | 12 | |
Required Core Courses | ||
Mentoring First Nations Youth 1 | ||
First Nations and The Sacred | ||
Introduction to First Nations Studies | ||
Choose one | ||
American Indians In Film | ||
Special Topics in First Nations Studies | ||
Upper-Level Courses | 27 | |
First Nations Studies Capstone Seminar | ||
First Nations Policy: | ||
First Nations Justice and Tribal Governments | ||
or FNS 393 | First Nations and Education Policy | |
Oral Emphasis (complete one of the following 12 credit options): | ||
Option 1 Oneida Language Project | ||
Oneida Language I | ||
Oneida Language II | ||
Oneida Language III | ||
Oneida Language IV | ||
Option 2 | ||
Oneida Language I | ||
First Nations Studies Oral Tradition Concentration (must complete 9 credits) | ||
Elective Courses (choose 9 credits): 2 | ||
Art of the First Nations | ||
Oneida Language II | ||
Oneida Language III | ||
Oneida Language IV | ||
American Ethnic Literature | ||
Women and Gender in First Nations Communities | ||
Indigenous Nations Oral and Storytelling Traditions | ||
Wisconsin First Nations Ethnohistory | ||
First Nations Intellectual Traditions | ||
First Nations Justice and Tribal Governments | ||
First Nations and Education Policy | ||
Special Topics in First Nations Studies | ||
First Nations Studies Oral Tradition Concentration | ||
Internship | ||
Independent Study | ||
Travel Course | ||
Interdisciplinary Study of Great Works (Indigenous Intellectuals topic only) | ||
Total Credits | 39 |
1 | OR equivalent 3 credit learning experience |
2 | Courses do not double count with Oral Emphasis options above. |
Minor
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Supporting Courses | 9 | |
Mentoring First Nations Youth 1 | ||
Introduction to First Nations Studies | ||
Choose one course: | ||
American Indians In Film | ||
First Nations and The Sacred | ||
Special Topics in First Nations Studies | ||
Upper Level Courses | 15 | |
First Nations Studies Capstone Seminar | ||
Policy Requirement (choose one course): | ||
First Nations Justice and Tribal Governments | ||
or FNS 393 | First Nations and Education Policy | |
Elective Courses (choose 9 credits): 2 | ||
Oneida Language I | ||
Oneida Language II | ||
Oneida Language III | ||
Oneida Language IV | ||
Oneida Language V | ||
Oneida Language VI | ||
Women and Gender in First Nations Communities | ||
Indigenous Nations Oral and Storytelling Traditions | ||
Wisconsin First Nations Ethnohistory | ||
First Nations Intellectual Traditions | ||
Special Topics in First Nations Studies | ||
First Nations and Education Policy | ||
First Nations Studies Oral Tradition Concentration | ||
Teaching Assistantship | ||
Internship | ||
Independent Study 3 | ||
Total Credits | 24 |
1 | OR equivalent 3 credit learning experience |
2 | Courses do not double count with Policy Requirement courses above. |
3 | Requires approval of First Nations Studies adviser. |
Curriculum Guide
The following is a curriculum guide for a four-year First Nations Studies degree program and is subject to change without notice. Students should consult a First Nations Studies program advisor to ensure that they have the most accurate and up-to-date information available about a particular four-year degree option.
An example: Four year plan for First Nations Studies
120 credits necessary to graduate.
Plan is a representation and categories of classes can be switched. Check with your advisor.
Freshman | ||
---|---|---|
Fall | Credits | |
FNS 211 | Mentoring First Nations Youth (or in Freshman year Spring) | 3 |
FNS 225 | Introduction to First Nations Studies | 3 |
First Year Seminar | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
FNS 211 | Mentoring First Nations Youth | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Sophomore | ||
Fall | ||
FNS 224 | First Nations and The Sacred | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
FNS 301 | Oneida Language I | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Junior | ||
Fall | ||
FNS 393 | First Nations and Education Policy | 3 |
FNS Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
FNS 392 | First Nations Justice and Tribal Governments (or FNS Upper Level Elective) | 3 |
General Ed | 3 | |
General Ed | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Senior | ||
Fall | ||
FNS 391 | First Nations Studies Capstone Seminar | 3 |
FNS Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
FNS Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
FNS Upper Level Elective | 3 | |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Spring | ||
FNS 399 | First Nations Studies Oral Tradition Concentration | 12 |
Elective | 3 | |
Credits | 15 | |
Total Credits | 120 |