American Indian Studies

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We are still here! Native Communities in America

In American Indian Studies students learn about the contributions and perspectives of the indigenous peoples of the Americas from an interdisciplinary perspective. Our courses explore ancient civilizations, historical experiences, and contemporary issues.

Current research at USM examines such diverse topics as Ancient Mesoamerica, the emergence of modern Southeastern US tribes from the Shatter Zone, and current health disparities in Indian Country.

Indigenous peoples of ancient, historical and modern cultures still have much to teach us today. From the Aztec Legend of the Five Suns, through the Southeastern Green Corn Ceremony, to modern day powwows, Native cultures still resonate in our world.

What will I learn?

Our Native American ancestors were resilient. They had to be. They lived on the edge. Their communities depended on constantly changing streams, creeks, bayous, rivers, lakes, gulfs and oceans. Water brought vitality, but too little or too much could also wreak devastation. Their communities were also constantly changing as a result of internal strife and external forces.

Through AIS courses, students will study:

Historical pressures that influenced community structures;
Struggles to preserve Native languages, cultures, health, wellbeing and sovereignty;
Native arts, games, clothing, foodways and other cultural practices;
And other aspects of Indigenous American cultures.

Faculty Affiliates

MEET OUR DIRECTORS AND AFFILIATE FACULTY

Do you have a question about the American Indian Studies program? Click above to get the contact information for the director.

Faculty Spotlight

AMERICAN INDIAN STUDIES AFFILIATE FACULTY

Dr. Joshua Haynes

Patrolling the Border focuses on a late eighteenth-century conflict between Creek Indians and Georgians. Dr. Joshua S. Haynes argues that the period should be viewed as the struggle of non-state indigenous people to develop an effective method of resisting colonization. Using database and digital mapping applications, Dr. Haynes identifies one such method of resistance: a pattern of Creek raiding best described as politically motivated border patrols. Read more

Career Pathways

A minor in American Indian Studies can be paired with any major, and in many cases, students can get an American Indian Studies minor without taking any more credit hours than they would need to take for their major alone.

The minor prepares students to work in settings that require: cross-cultural understanding, interaction with diverse populations, civic engagement and community development, and creative solving skills. In many career fields, having the ability to interact more effectively with diverse peoples is increasingly important.

Some majors that work well with this minor are:

Social sciences: Sociology, Political Science, Anthropology, Psychology, Nonprofit Studies, Legal Studies
Applied social sciences: Social Work, Criminal Justice, Public Health
Human Sciences: Child and family studies, Archival and library science
Humanities: Languages, History, English, Philosophy
Communications: Public Relations, Media, Communication Studies,
Business: Management, Business Administration, Entrepreneurship
The Arts: Art and Design, Dance, Music, and Theatre
And many more!

Affiliations

Center for American Indian Research and Studies

The center facilitates partnerships between the faculty of Southern Miss and regional tribal governments in order to better serve the needs of the American Indian people in our area.

Golden Eagle Inter-tribal Society

The USM Golden Eagle Inter-tribal Society (GEIS), host of the Southern Miss Powwow, is a student organization at USM devoted to maintaining the culture of Native American groups. Whether your heritage, studies, or friends have given rise to an interest in Native American culture, we welcome you to join us.

Minor Requirements

The undergraduate minor in American Indian Studies requires 18 hours of coursework. All students must complete:

AIS 301 - Contemporary Issues in Indian Country

Disciplines Requirements

and five other courses from at least three disciplines. The following courses will count toward Minor in American Indian Studies:

ANT 315 - American Indians
ANT 333 - Archeology of North America
ANT 433 - Prehistory of Southeastern Indians
HIS 474 - American Indians and the Invasion of America
HIS 475 - American Indians of the Southeast
REL 322 - Native American Religions
SWK 488 - Social Work and First Nations/Indigenous People

Other Potential Courses:

The following courses may count toward a Minor in American Indian Studies with the approval of the director. In order for these courses to count towards the minor, a significant portion of the course must have American Indian content as indicated by the syllabus and/or the student must complete a major course project/paper relevant to American Indian Studies. These courses and any other potential courses that may fit these criteria must be approved by the Director for the American Indian Studies Minor.

ANT 101 - The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity
ANT 221 - Cultural Anthropology
ANT 311 - World Cultures
ANT 424 - Religion and Healing
ANT 427 - Psychological Anthropology
ANT 429 - Topics in Cultural Anthropology
ANT 442 - Medical Anthropology
CD 150 - Child and Family in the Community
CIE 410 - Foundations in Multicultural Education
DAN 430 - Dance in Cultural Context
ENG 312 - Post Colonial Literature
ENG 313 - Survey of Multiethnic Literature
ENG 410 - Studies in Ethnic Literature
FL 101 - Introduction to Exotic Languages
GHY 331 - Cultural Systems in the Environment
GHY 409 - Geography of the Southwestern U.S.
HIS 467 - The Colonial South
LIS 445 - Sources of Information for a Multicultural Society
MUS 165H - Music Appreciation: World Music (Honors College only)
PSY 413 - Multicultural Counseling

Availability

Minor Plan	Availability
American Indian Studies Undergraduate Minor	Hattiesburg

American Indian Studies