AIS Degree
American Indian Studies (AIS) at CSU San Marcos
We are committed to Indigenous academic excellence and community based participatory
research and engages students in scholarly academic activities that promote and strengthen
tribal and cultural sovereignty.
By providing a quality interdisciplinary major and minor emphasizing American Indian
cultures locally, regionally, and globally, our students have multiple opportunities
to develop a critical consciousness about their lives, as well as the lives of others
in our community.
AIS Major
Why Choose an American Indian Studies Major at 爆料社区?
Engage in rigorous interdisciplinary study and community-based participatory research
that promotes tribal and cultural sovereignty. Develop expertise that makes a real
impact.
Specialize in Four Key Areas
American Indian Studies
Broad interdisciplinary foundation
Health and Wellness
Addressing community health disparities
Law & Government
Tribal sovereignty and governance
Traditional Ecological Knowledge & Climate Justice
Environmental stewardship
Launch a Meaningful Career
Prepare for careers in tribal government, business & entrepreneurship, education,
law, policy, cultural resource management, museum studies, public health, social services,
and tribal enterprise management. AIS majors are sought after by tribal nations, government
agencies, nonprofits, and businesses.
Think Globally, Act Locally
Study American Indian cultures from local to global perspectives. Work directly with
Southern California's tribal nations while understanding Indigenous issues worldwide.
Develop Critical Leadership Skills
Build critical consciousness about power, sovereignty, justice, and representation.
Gain the analytical and cultural skills to become an effective advocate, educator,
or leader.
Engage in Real-World Research
Participate in community-based projects that benefit tribal nations and strengthen
cultural sovereignty. Learn through meaningful collaboration, not just classroom theory.
Join a Committed Community
Be part of a program dedicated to Indigenous academic excellence and supporting students
who want to make a difference in tribal communities and beyond.
American Indian Studies Minor
Why Choose an American Indian Studies Minor at 爆料社区?
Stand Out to Employers
Employers in education, healthcare, social work, law, government, environmental science,
and nonprofits actively seek graduates who understand tribal sovereignty, cultural
protocols, and can work effectively with tribal nations and businesses.
Complement Any Major
AIS enriches majors in history, sociology, literature, environmental studies, political
science, psychology, and especially business鈥攑roviding crucial perspectives for working with tribal enterprises and sovereign
nations.
Current American Indian Studies Courses
- AIS 101: Introduction to American Indian Studies
- AIS 110: Decolonizing California: California Indian Resistance, Resurgence and Resilience
- AIS 115: American Indians, Colonialism, and Critical Thinking
- AIS 120: Decolonizing Your Diet: Intro to Native Foods, Systems and Plants
- AIS 125: American Indian Film
- AIS 130: Environmental Justice, Racism, and Settler Colonialism
- AIS 150: Introduction to Federal Indian Law Policy
- AIS 160: Climate Change and Indigenous People
- AIS 220: American Indian Religion, Philosophy, and Worlds
- AIS 225: American Indian Sports
- AIS 230: Contemporary Issues in American Indian Art
- AIS 235: American Indian Youth Literature: Learning to Tell the Good from the Bad
- AIS 240: American Indian and Environmental Issues
- AIS 250: California Indian Culture and History
- AIS 260: Rumble: American Indians and Rock & Roll
- AIS 265: American Indian Women Writers
- AIS 270: American Indian Digital Humanities
- AIS 280: American Indian Culture and Language
- AIS 290: American Indian Education, Equity, and Social Justice
- AIS 315: Criminal Justice in Indian Country
- AIS 348: American Indian Communities
- AIS 350: Imagining Indians: American Indians, Media, Film, and Society
- AIS 360: American Indian Water Rights
- AIS 370: American Indian Women and Activism
- AIS 380: Topics in American Indian Studies
- AIS 390: American Indian Studies: Independent Studies
- AIS 400: Contemporary American Indian Health and Wellness
- AIS 410: U.S. History Through Indigenous Lenses: Pre-Colonization to Present
- AIS 420: American Indian Leadership: Sustaining Indigenous Knowledge
- AIS 450: Decolonization in Practice
- AIS 468: American Indian Political and Economic Development
- AIS 470: Tribal Economics
- AIS 490: American Indian Studies: Research, Methods, and Applications
- AIS 498/499: Capstone: Internship & Special Research Projects