First Nations Studies (FNS)

Courses

FNS 198. First Year Seminar. 3 Credits.

Reserved for New Incoming Freshman.

FNS 210. American Indians In Film. 3 Credits.

This course examines how Hollywood films both construct and appropriate images of American Indians. Students will view films beginning with the silent film era and ending with contemporary movies while exploring and challenging common stereotypes of Native people.

FNS 211. Mentoring First Nations Youth. 3 Credits.

In this is a service learning course that places college students in the field in K-8 classrooms as mentors and tutors to First Nations children. The course teaches skills and dispositions to work with children, teachers, staff and administrators in K-8 with an emphasis on First Nations education. Through extensive field work in K-8 classrooms, undergraduates develop successful relationships in the schools, experience early classroom involvement, and interact with youth. The course is unique in its emphasis on indigenous education and working with First Nations youth while learning from tribal Elder teachers.
P: As required to work in WI public schools, students must pass a back ground check and students must pass a TB test.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 224. First Nations and The Sacred. 3 Credits.

This course explores the world views and oral traditions of First Nations people. Students will examine concepts, ideas, accompanying opinion, and practices within the holistic concept of the Sacred.

FNS 225. Introduction to First Nations Studies. 3 Credits.

This introductory course to First Nations Studies. Course focuses on the history, culture, sovereignty, and contemporary status of Indigenous Nations in the Great Lakes region. The course offers Indigenous cultural contexts through both information and class structure. The Indigenous core value of personal sovereignty is practiced in the course through the application of respect, reciprocity, and relationship.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 295. Special Topics in First Nations Studies. 3 Credits.

This is an introductory course in First Nations Studies. It is a variable content course focusing on one or more theme in the discipline. Course topics may include Indigenous foods, Indigenous ethics, Indigenous plant knowledge, land-based learning, etc. The course is repeatable for credit; may be taken 2 times for a total of 6 credits.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 299. Travel Course. 1-6 Credits.

Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.

FNS 301. Oneida Language I. 3 Credits.

A course on the Oneida language offered with the aid of indigenous speakers. Emphasis varies with student interest. Tools and resources for further independent study are stressed.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 302. Oneida Language II. 3 Credits.

A course on the Oneida language typically offered in the Oneida community with the aid of native speakers. Emphasis varies with student interest. Tools and resources for further independent study are stressed.
P: FNS 301.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 303. Oneida Language III. 3 Credits.

A course on the Oneida language typically offered in the Oneida community with the aid of native speakers. Emphasis varies with student interest. Tools and resources for further independent study are stressed.
P: FNS 302.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 304. Oneida Language IV. 3 Credits.

A course on the Oneida language typically offered in the Oneida community with the aid of native speakers. Emphasis varies with student interest. Tools and resources for further independent study are stressed.
P: FNS 303.

FNS 305. Oneida Language V. 3 Credits.

A course on the Oneida language typically offered in the Oneida community with the aid of native speakers. Emphasis varies with student interest. Tools and resources for further independent study are stressed.
P: FNS 304.

FNS 306. Oneida Language VI. 3 Credits.

A course on the Oneida language typically offered in the Oneida community with the aid of native speakers. Emphasis varies with student interest. Tools and resources for further independent study are stressed.
P: FNS 305.

FNS 360. Women and Gender in First Nations Communities. 3 Credits.

This course examines the traditional and contemporary status of First Nations women. The course focuses on the fluid definitions and constructions of gender identity before and after Euro-American contact, exploring the intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia, colonialism, globalization. Decolonization and resistance are primary themes of the course.
REC: FNS 225, FNS 226 or WOST 241
Spring.

FNS 372. Indigenous Nations Oral and Storytelling Traditions. 3 Credits.

Study of the cultural values of Indigenous Nations in North America reflecting the indigenous intellect. Indigenous elder knowledge, story telling methodology, and literature (poetry, and novels) are explored.
P: FNS 225 or 226 or one 300/400 level literature course.
Spring.

FNS 374. Wisconsin First Nations History. 3 Credits.

An in-depth exploration of one First Nation located in Wisconsin: Anishinaabe (Ojibway), Oneida, Menominee, Potawatomi or Mohican. This course explores the history, culture, and contemporary status of one of these nations.

FNS 385. First Nations Intellectual Traditions. 3 Credits.

Drawing upon American Indian oral traditions and Elder epistemology, this course will examine the diverse traditional, cultural, spiritual, and political values and world views of American Indian Nations.
P: FNS 225 or FNS 226
Spring Odd.

FNS 391. First Nations Studies Capstone Seminar. 3 Credits.

This course is designed for students who already have a background in American Indian Studies. It is a variable content course which includes such topics as contemporary issues, environmental justice, American Indian law, and repatriation. Course is repeatable for credit; may be taken 2 times for a total of 6 credits.
P: FNS 225 and 1 other 3 credit course in FNS
Fall Only.

FNS 392. First Nations Justice and Tribal Governments. 3 Credits.

This course explores the pre-contact justice systems and constructions of "justice" among American Indian nations. The impact of colonization upon these structures will be examined as well as the formation and operation of contemporary tribal governing structures.
P: FNS 225 or DJS 204 or DJS 325
Spring Even.

FNS 393. First Nations and Education Policy. 3 Credits.

Basic background and vocabulary necessary to understand, discuss, and analyze the complex variables and important common denominators that affect Tribal and U.S. citizens, particularly through education policy at the federal/state levels.
P: FNS 225
Fall Even.

FNS 395. Special Topics in First Nations Studies. 3 Credits.

This course is designed for students with prior learning in First Nations Studies. This variable content course offers an in-depth study of topics such as Indigenous wellness, Indigenous teaching & learning, First Nations ethnobotany, Indigenous geography, Indigenous astronomy and star maps, etc. Course is repeatable for credit if topics differ; may be taken 3 times for a total of 9 credits.
P: 3 prior credits in FNS. REC: FNS 225 and FNS 224
Spring.

FNS 399. First Nations Studies Oral Tradition Concentration. 3-12 Credits.

The FNS Oral Tradition Concentration allows students an opportunity to study tribal oral traditional knowledge in a variety of settings including working with Indigenous knowledge bearers and Elders in a tribal setting. Course is repeatable for credit; may be taken 3 times for a maximum of 12 earned credits.
P: FNS major or minor; junior or senior status; Instructor Approval.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 478. Honors in the Major. 3 Credits.

Honors in the Major is designed to recognize student excellence within interdisciplinary and disciplinary academic programs.
P: min 3.50 all cses req for major and min gpa 3.75 all UL cses req for major.

FNS 495. Teaching Assistantship. 1-6 Credits.

The student and supervising teacher must prepare a statement that identifies the course with which the assistantship will happen, objectives for the assistantship, and expectations in order to fulfill the course objectives. Students are not eligible to receive credit in both the course they assist the instructor with and the teaching assistantship in the same semester. Typically student has previously taken the course prior to enrollment in the assistantship. Course is repeatable for credit.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 497. Internship. 1-12 Credits.

Supervised practical experience in an organization or activity appropriate to a student's career and educational interests. Internships are supervised by faculty members and require periodic student/faculty meetings. Course is repeatable for credit.
P: jr st.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 498. Independent Study. 1-4 Credits.

Independent study is offered on an individual basis at the student's request and consists of a program of learning activities planned in consultation with a faculty member. A student wishing to study or conduct research in an area not represented in available scheduled courses should develop a preliminary proposal and seek the sponsorship of a faculty member. The student's advisor can direct him or her to instructors with appropriate interests. A written report or equivalent is required for evaluation, and a short title describing the program must be sent early inthe semester to the registrar for entry on the student's transcript.
P: fr or so st with cum gpa > or = 2.50; or jr or sr st with cum gpa > or = 2.00.
Fall and Spring.

FNS 499. Travel Course. 1-6 Credits.

Travel courses are conducted to various parts of the world and are led by one or more faculty members. May be repeated to different locations.
P: cons of instr & prior trip arr & financial deposit.