American Indian Studies Courses
AIS 101 – Introduction to American Indian Studies – 3 cr, U.
Indigenous experience in the land now called U.S.A.; colonization, tradition and spirituality, indigenousness and sovereignty; current issues, e.g., language preservation, treaty rights, social justice. Theoretical approaches. Prereq: none.
AIS 105 – Great Lakes American Indian Ethnobotany – 3 cr, U.
Collection, identification, ecology, and utilization of Wisconsin plants for food, medicine, fibers, and construction. Native American cosmology and uses and perspectives in Wisconsin tribal areas emphasized. No cr for students who have cr in Bio Sci 105. Prereq: none.
Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) Courses
Four Course Language Series
AIS 151 – First Semester Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) – 4 cr.
This course serves as an introduction to Anishinaabemowin which is the language used by the Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi people. In this course we will focus primarily on the Ojibwe dialect but you will learn the basics of the language in a way that will allow you to advance easily in Odawa or Potowatomi dialects if you choose. This course is designed for beginning students with no prior knowledge of the language. Lessons will address all four skills essential for language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing. In this course you will also learn the stories, social systems, philosophy, history and science of the Anishinaabe people and their neighbors. Prerequisites: None. Language GER: A passing grade in First through Fourth Semesters of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) satisfies the L&S Language Requirement and also satisfies the university-wide Language GER
AIS 152 – Second Semester Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) – 4 cr.
This course is a continuation of the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) language series. This semester focuses on longer texts in the Western (Ojibwe) dialect. Texts will include historical and recent examples of the language. In this course you will continue to develop all four skills essential for language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing. As we learn the language you will continue to increase your knowledge of the past history and current economic and political perspective of citizens and descendants of Anishinaabe nations in the U.S. and Canada. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe 152) or level 3 score on placement exam or cons instr. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (8 retro cr). Language GER: A passing grade in First through Fourth Semesters of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) satisfies the L&S Language Requirement and also satisfies the university-wide Language GER
AIS 251 Third Semester Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) – 4 cr.
This course is a continuation of the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) language series. This semester focuses on longer texts in the Western (Ojibwe) dialect. Texts will include historical and recent examples of the language. In this course you will continue to develop all four skills essential for language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing. As we learn the language you will continue to increase your knowledge of the past history and current economic and political perspective of citizens and descendants of Anishinaabe nations in the U.S. and Canada. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe 152) or level 3 score on placement exam or cons instr. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (8 retro cr). Language GER: A passing grade in First through Fourth Semesters of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) satisfies the L&S Language Requirement and also satisfies the university-wide Language GER
AIS 252 Fourth Semester Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) – 4 cr.
This course is a continuation of the Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) language series. This semester focuses on gaining competency in a range of dialects including western, central and eastern variation. As with third semester, texts will include historical and recent examples of the language. In this course you will continue to develop all four skills essential for language learning: listening, speaking, reading and writing. You will also continue to increase your knowledge of the history and current economic and political perspective of citizens and descendants of Anishinaabe nations in the U.S. and Canada. Prerequisites: A grade of C or better in Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe 251) or level 4 score on placement exam or cons instr. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (12 retro cr). Language GER: A passing grade in First through Fourth Semesters of Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) satisfies the L&S Language Requirement and also satisfies the university-wide Language GER
Find out more about Ojibwe (Anishinaabe) language use at www.ojibwe.net
AIS 203 Western Great Lakes American Indian Community Life of the Past, – 3 cr, U.
Study of western Great Lakes American Indian community life of the past, with an emphasis on pre-European conditions, social organizations, value systems, family life, ceremonial life. Counts as a repeat of Ethnic 203. Prereq: none.
AIS 360 – Ezhi-Kinomaageying: Anishinaabe Curriculum – 3 cr. U.
This course is designed to offer proficient speakers of Anishinaabemowin a chance to broaden their knowledge of the language and consider effective instructional methods. Students in this course may have a focus on socio-linguistics, revitalization or education. Whether the intention is to help others learn the language professionally as part or your career or informally in the home or community, this course will result in a portfolio of curriculum. Throughout the course students will study the history of Anishinaabe language instruction, social and political movements and policies that impacted instruction and contemporary trends. All conversations in class will be held in Anishinaabemowin. Prerequisites: Proficiency in Anishinaabemowin (see AIS 151 – AIS 252 or meet with instructor for approval). Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (no retro credit)
AIS 370 – Anishinaabebiige: Archival to Contemporary Writing – 3 cr. U.
This course is designed to offer proficient speakers of Anishinaabemowin an introduction to researching, reading and creating archival material. Students will look at texts from each century beginning with the 1600s and moving into the present. Theories of language change, translation and knowledge production will be emphasized as students use primary sources for research culminating in a project that will be archived. All conversations in class will be held in Anishinaabemowin. Prerequisites: Proficiency in Anishinaabemowin (see AIS 151 – AIS 252 or meet with instructor for approval). Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (no retro credit)
AIS/Anthro 225 – The Aztec Empire, 3 cr, U.
Formation and expansion of the Aztec empire; description and analysis of Aztec culture, with an emphasis on archaeological and ethnohistoric perspectives. AIS 225 & Anthro 225 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: none.
AIS/Anthro 213 – American Indian Peoples of Wisconsin – 3 cr, U.
Past and contemporary societies and cultures of American Indians of Wisconsin, including the Chippewa (Ojibwa), Menominee, Winnebago, Oneida, Potawatomi, Stockbridge-Munsee. Prereq: none.
AIS/Hist 262 – North American Indian History to 1887 – 3 cr U.
A survey of Native American history from aboriginal times to 1887. Emphasis will be placed on American policies and change within Indian societies. AIS 262 & Hist 262 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: none.
AIS/Hist 263 – North American Indian History Since 1887 – 3 cr, U.
A survey of American Indian history since 1887 with emphasis on federal policies and changing Indian societies in the twentieth century. AIS 263 & Hist 263 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: none.
AIS/English 276 – Introduction to American Indian Literature: (Subtitle) 3 cr, U.
Literature of the American Indian, focusing on major forms, prominent themes, or a particular tribe of time period. AIS 276 & English 276 are jointly offered; w/same topic, they count as repeats of one another. Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: grade of C or better in English 102(P) or score at level 4 on EPT.
AIS/Anthro 308 – Archaeology of North America, 3 cr – U/G.
Main pre-Columbian cultures on the North American continent, north of Mexico. AIS 308 & Anthro 308 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
AIS/Anthro 310 – Archaeology of Middle America – 3 cr, U/G.
Historical development and ecological settings of cultures and civilizations in Mexico and Central America from earliest times to the Spanish conquest. AIS 310 & Anthro 310 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
AIS/Anthro 311 – The World of the Ancient Maya – 3 cr, U/G.
Historical development of ancient Maya civilization from its origins to the Spanish Conquest. AIS 311 & Anthro 311 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
AIS/Anthro 314 – American Indian Societies and Cultures – 3 cr, U/G.
Description and analysis of selected indigenous American cultures including subsistence, sociopolitical organizations, beliefs and Euro-American Indian policy. AIS 314 & Anthro 314 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; Anthro 102(R).
AIS/Sociol 320 – Social Change in American Indian Society – 3 cr, U.
American Indian societal change studied from a combination of theoretical perspectives: examination of the variation in American Indian responses to Western political and economic impacts. AIS 320 & Sociology 320 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; any Sociol 100-level course or Sociol 224(P).
AIS/Sociol 321 – Contemporary Issues of the American Indian – 3 cr, U.
Development of the institutional structure of American Indian affairs; current economic and social problems, contemporary manifestations of American Indian spirit, e.g., activism and cultural experiences. AIS 321 & Sociol 321 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; any Sociol 100 level course or Sociol 224(P).
AIS/Anthro 362 – System Failure: Globalization and Language Extinction – 3 cr, U/G.
Role of globalization in the projected extinction of a large number of the world’s languages within the next century. AIS 362, Anthro 362, & Global 362 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; a course in social science; a course in linguistic anthro; or cons instr.
AIS/English 372 – Survey of American Indian Literature – 3 cr, U.
A general, representative study of the literature of the American Indian. AIS 372 & English 372 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition Competency req.
AIS/Hist 473 – History of Wisconsin Indians – 3 cr, U/G.
History of Wisconsin tribes from their earliest years to the present, including European contacts, treaties, the fur trade, and wars. AIS 473 & Hist 473 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; satisfaction of English Composition competency req.
AIS/Hist 474 – Topics in North American Indian History: (Subtitle) – 3 cr, U/G.
Detailed examination of such topics as Indian legal status, culture change, Indian education, Pan-Indianism and gender roles. Retakable w/chg in topic to 9 cr max. AIS 474 & Hist 474 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
AIS/Hist 475 – History, Law, and Government – 3 cr, U/G.
American Indian political systems; their interaction with U.S. Indian policy. Indigenous systems of governance; European legal justification for colonization; American Indian sovereignty; Federal-Tribal relationship. No cr for students w/cr in Hist 474 w/similar topic. AIS 475 & Hist 475 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
AIS/English 520 – Studies in American Indian Literature: (Subtitle) – 3 cr, U.
Critical study of themes, figures, aspects, trends, etc., in American Indian Literature. AIS 520 & English 520 are jointly offered; w/same topic, they count as repeats of one another. Retakable w/chg of topic to 9 cr max. Prereq: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
AIS/English 525 – American Indian Literature, Culture, and Creative Arts – 3 cr, U/G.
Critical methods in understanding indigenous literature, cultures, and creative arts; uses of arts in indigenous cultures; how arts influence people’s views of indigenous peoples. AIS 525 & English 525 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st; completion of GER English Composition competency req.
AIS/Ed Pol 531 – American Indian Tribal and Community Policy Studies – 3 cr, U/G.
Political-legal, social-cultural contexts of American Indian tribal and community policy development; intergovernmental role in addressing social/cultural, economic, and development needs of tribal societies. AIS 531 & Ed Pol 531 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another. Prereq: jr st.
AIS 600 AIS – Capstone Experience – 3 cr, U.
AIS/English 632 – Seminar in American Indian Literature: (Subtitle) – 3 cr, U/G.
Focus on major forms, prominent themes, or tribal traditions in the literature of the American Indian. AIS 632 & English 632 are jointly offered; w/same topic they count as repeats of one another. Retakable w/chg in topic of 6 cr max. Prereq: sr st, satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req, 9 cr English and/or CompLit at the 300-level or above; or grad st.
Ed Pol 561 – Education Issues in American Indian Communities – 3 cr, U/G.
Unique political-legal, social-cultural contexts of Native Education, intergovernmental involvement and role in addressing social/cultural and developmental needs of tribal societies. Prereq: jr st or cons instr.
Ed Pol 621 – History of Native Education and Policy Development – 3 cr, U/G. Historic policy development affecting the education of American Indians including the development of schools and the relationship of education to federal Indian policy. Prereq: jr st or cons instr.