American Indian Studies
We are still here! Native Communities in America
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.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 |