AIS Course Descriptions
101 Introduction to American Indian History and Cultures
3 crs (3-0). F.
GE-IIIG; CD3
Introduction to the different disciplinary perspectives available for the study of American Indian cultures, with an emphasis on history, anthropology, and law.
102 Introduction to American Indian Expressive Cultures
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp.
GE-IVE; CD3
Introduction to a broad range of American Indian expressive cultures, from traditional to contemporary forms, in art, literature, oral traditions, music, and film.
111 Studies in American Indian Languages I
4 crs (3-1). F.
GE-IA; CD3
Introduction to American Indian language families and concentrated study of one specific language within its cultural context, with emphasis on speaking and listening skills. (For specific languages, see current Class Schedule.)
112 Studies in American Indian Languages II
4 crs (3-1). Sp.
GE-IA; CD3
P: AIS 111
Continuation of American Indian Languages I, with additional attention paid to dialect diversity, and competing writing systems. (For specific languages, see current Class Schedule.)
142 Introduction to American Indian Literature
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp.
GE-IVD; CD3
Cross-listed with ENGL 142
Credit may not be earned in both ENGL 142 and AIS 142 or if taken after ENGL 346 or AIS 346
Not available for juniors or seniors
A study of the literature by and about American Indians, with special attention to the cultural background.
161 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp.
GE-IIIA; FC
Cross-listed with ANTH 161
Credit may not be earned in both ANTH 161 and AIS 161
Culture as the human means of environmental adaptation. Explores cross-cultural regularities and the range of variation in human behavior. Comparison of widely different economic, social, political, and religious systems.
240 American Indian History
3 crs (3-0).
GE-IVC; CD3
Cross-listed with HIST 240
Credit may not be earned in both HIST 240 and AIS 240
An introduction to the history of the native peoples of the United States with major emphasis upon European contact, the mutual interaction of European and American Indian cultures, and the resulting adaptations and conflicts.
242 The American Indian in Literature and Film
3 crs (2-2). Sp.
GE-IVD; CD3
Cross-listed with ENGL 242
Credit may not be earned in both ENGL 242 and AIS 242
A critical, cultural examination of the origins and evolution of film images of American Indians; analysis based on study and application of film techniques as well as literary and historical textual analysis.
250 American Indian Politics
3 crs (3-0). Su.
GE-IIID; CD3
Cross-listed with POLS 250
Credit may not be earned in both POLS 250 and AIS 250
The course will examine the recent trends in American Indian politics beginning with the American Indian Movement through the present. The course will include topics on tribal sovereignty, legalized gambling, and tribal government.
291 Special Topics
1-4 crs. F, Sp.
Not for GE
Course may be taken for a maximum of 9 credits
Instructor approval required
Topics will be determined by specific themes related to American Indian Studies by instructor and program director, and based upon student interest and need.
322 /522 Native Geographies
3 crs (3-0). F.
GE-IIIC; CD3
Cross-listed with GEOG 322
Credit may not be earned in both GEOG 322 and AIS 322
Special course fee required
Field trip(s) required
The historical and contemporary relationships of American Indians to place, including land use and environmental issues, indigenous mapping techniques, sacred sites, territorial nationhood, and legal rights to ceded and sovereign lands. The course also provides insight into the unique cultures of indigenous peoples around the world.
324 Native Art of the Americas
3 crs (3-0).
GE-IVA; CD2; FC
Cross-listed with ARTH 324
P: One AIS or ARTH or ART course or consent of instructor
Credit may not be earned in both ARTH 324 and AIS 324
Minimum sophomore standing
Field trip(s) required
A survey of North American Indian artwork in contemporary and historical contexts.
325 North American Indians
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp.
GE-IIIA; CD3
Cross-listed with ANTH 325
P: Previous completion of ANTH/AIS 161 strongly recommended
Credit may not be earned in both ANTH 325 and AIS 325
Comparative analysis, by culture area, of traditional American Indian economies, social and political organization, religion and philosophy. Impact of European colonization and control on traditional cultures.
330 Indigenous Religions of the Americas
3 crs (3-0).
GE-IVB; FC; CD2
Cross-listed with RELS 330
P: One course in RELS, PHIL, AIS, LAS, or consent of instructor
Credit may not be earned in both RELS 330 and AIS 330
This course will introduce indigenous religions in the cultural contexts of Latin America and North American Indian nations. It will study historical religious development from Pre-Columbian, through colonial experience, to present day cultural movements.
335 Ancient Art and Architecture of Mexico and Central America
3 crs (3-0). Sp.
GE-IVA; FC
Cross-listed with ARTH 335
P: One ART, ARTH, AIS, or LAS course, or consent of instructor
Credit may not be earned in both ARTH 335 and AIS 335
Field trip required
A study of the art and architecture of ancient Mexico and Central America between 2000 BCE – 1600 CE. Focus is on the materials, techniques, styles, and iconography of the art and architecture in relation to the contexts of production, use, and reception.
337 Art of Tawantinsuyo
3 crs (3-0). Sp.
GE-IVA; FC
Cross-listed with ARTH 337
P: One ART, ARTH, AIS, or LAS course, or consent of instructor
Credit may not be earned in both ARTH337 and AIS 337
Field trip required
A study of historical and contemporary art by indigenous artists of Tawantinsuyo, the Quechua name of the Inka empire in western South America. Emphasis is placed on textiles, yet metals and ceramics are also topics.
345 American Indian Autobiography
3 crs (3-0).
GE-IVD; CD3
Cross-listed with ENGL 345
P: Three credits of English Literature (GE-IVD) or one of the following: AIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 480, AIS/HIST 240, AIS/POLS 250, AIS/ARTH 324, AIS/ANTH 325, AIS/HIST 468, AIS/HIST 482 or consent of instructor.
Credit may not be earned in both ENGL 345/545 & AIS 345/545
Explores evolving forms and political implications of the creation and production of American Indian autobiographies and collaborative personal narratives.
346 Major Works in American Indian Literature
3 crs (3-0). F.
GE-IVD; CD3
Cross-listed with ENGL 346
P: Three credits of English Literature (GE-IVD) or one of the following: AIS 101, 102, 111, 112, 480, AIS/HIST 240, AIS/POLS 250, AIS/ARTH 324, AIS/ANTH 325, AIS/HIST 468, AIS/HIST 482 or consent of instructor
Credit may not be earned in both ENGL 346/546 & AIS 346/546
Major and supporting works of American Indian literature, from oral and written sources.
374: Ojibwe Women, Eco-feminism, and Botanical Knowledge:
1-3 crs. F, Sp.
Not for GE
May be repeated - additional restrictions may apply
Get form from department office
"For every problem a person can have in this life, there is a plant that can help." In this course students learn about the life long association of Anishinaabe women and plants of their environment, how plants surround their entire lives, and how they interact with plants on physical, spiritual, and metaphysical levels.
399 Independent Study
1-3 crs. F, Sp.
Not for GE
P: Limited to American Indian Studies majors and minors
Minimum junior standing
May be repeated - additional restrictions may apply
Required GPA of 3.00 within the major
Get form from department office
Original individual research or studies related to American Indian Studies.
468 /668 Studies in American Indian History
1-3 crs.
GE-IVC; CD-Variable
Cross-listed with HIST 468
P: Six credits of history, or junior standing, or consent of instructor
Course may be repeated when topic differs for a maximum of 9 credits
Selected topics depending on student and staff interests. Possible topics include the history of Wisconsin Indians and American Indians in the twentieth century. Consult class schedule or department office for current offering.
480 Capstone
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp.
SL-Full; Not for GE; CP
P: AIS 101 and 102
Minimum junior standing
Department permission required
The capstone course asks a student to integrate previous learning in American Indian Studies to produce a major research project or creative activity within a seminar format. Some travel to an American Indian community is likely.
482 /682 Wisconsin Indian History
3 crs (3-0). F, Sp, Su.
GE-IVC; CD3
Cross-listed with HIST 482
P: Six credits of history, or junior standing, or consent of instructor
Credit may not be earned in both HIST 482 and AIS 482
Study of American Indian communities in Wisconsin with emphasis on the mix of continuity and change in response to outside forces.
491 Special Topics
1-3 crs. F, Sp.
Not for GE
Course may be taken 3 times
Topics will be determined by specific themes related to American Indian Studies by instructor and program director, and based upon student interest and need. Possible topics include treaty rights conflicts, tribal sovereignty, Indian mascots and logos, and studies in American Indian authors.
498 Internship
1-3 crs. F, Sp.
SL-Full; Not for GE
P: 24 credits in American Indian Studies
P: Limited to American Indian Studies majors
Get form from department office Supervised assignment outside of the University to health or education institutions or agencies, to American Indian communities, to research institutions, to museums, cultural institutions, or other determined by supervising instructor.
499 Independent Study
1-3 crs. F, Sp.
Not for GE
P: Limited to American Indian Studies majors and minors
Minimum senior standing
May be repeated - additional restrictions may apply
Required GPA of 3.00 within the major
Get form from department office
Original individual research or studies related to American Indian Studies.
