American Indian Studies Courses

American Indian Studies Courses

Please note that the following list consists of all AIS courses offered. To find courses offered during a particular semester, see http://uwm.edu/schedule/.

AIS 101 Introduction to American Indian Studies
3 cr. Undergraduate.
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.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD, SS
Last Taught: Summer 2023, Spring 2023, UWinteriM 2023, Fall 2022.

AIS 105 Anishinaabe Ethnobotany: Plants in Anishinaabe Culture
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Anishinaabe botanical knowledge as it relates to Anishinaabe culture.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2016, Fall 2015.

AIS 106 Anishinaabe Ethnobotany: Plants in Anishinaabe Philosophy
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Anishinaabe philosophical and religious beliefs incorporating botanical knowledge.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD

AIS 171 First-Semester Indigenous Languages of Wisconsin:
4 cr. Undergraduate.
First-semester speaking, listening, and writing skills in an Indigenous language of Wisconsin.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Summer 2021, Fall 2020.

AIS 172 Second-Semester Indigenous Languages of Wisconsin:
4 cr. Undergraduate.
Second-semester speaking, listening, and writing skills in an indigenous language of Wisconsin.
Prerequisites: AIS 161(P) or level 2 placement. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (4 retro cr).
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020.

AIS 192 First-Year Seminar:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD, HU

AIS 193 First-Year Seminar:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD, SS

AIS 199 Independent Study
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Independent work supervised by a member of the AIS Program instructional staff.
Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, program coordinator, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017.

AIS 203 Western Great Lakes American Indian Community Life of the Past
3 cr. Undergraduate.
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.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD, SS
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021.

AIS 225 The Aztec Empire
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Formation and expansion of the Aztec empire; description and analysis of Aztec culture, with an emphasis on archaeological and ethnohistoric perspectives.
Prerequisites: none.
Last Taught: Summer 2016, Spring 2014, Spring 2013.

AIS 252 Fourth Semester Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe)
4 cr. Undergraduate.
Fourth-semester speaking, listening and writing skills in Anishinaabemowin the language of the Great Lakes Three Fires Confederacy and current Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi nations.
Prerequisites: AIS 251 or level 4 placement. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (12retro cr)..
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019.

AIS 262 North American Indian History to 1887
3 cr. Undergraduate.
A survey of Native American history from aboriginal times to 1887. Emphasis will be placed on American policies and change within Indian societies.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD, SS
Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2019, Fall 2018.

AIS 263 North American Indian History Since 1887
3 cr. Undergraduate.
A survey of American Indian history since 1887 with emphasis on federal policies and changing Indian societies in the twentieth century.
Prerequisites: none.
General Education Requirements: CD, SS
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2022, Spring 2021, Spring 2020.

AIS 271 Third-Semester Indigenous Languages of Wisconsin:
4 cr. Undergraduate.
Third-semester speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in an indigenous language of Wisconsin.
Prerequisites: AIS 172(P) or level 3 placement.
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Fall 2022, Fall 2021, Fall 2020, Fall 2019.

AIS 272 Fourth-Semester Indigenous Languages of Wisconsin
4 cr. Undergraduate.
Fourth-semester speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in an indigenous language of Wisconsin.
Prerequisites: AIS 271(P) or level 4 placement.
General Education Requirements: CD

AIS 276 Introduction to American Indian Literature:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Literature of the American Indian, focusing on major forms, prominent themes, or a particular tribe of time period.
Prerequisites: grade of C or better in English 102(P) or score at level 4 on EPT.
General Education Requirements: CD, HU
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021.

AIS 289 Internship in American Indian Studies, Lower Division:
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of basic principles of American Indian Studies in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate settings.
Prerequisites: AIS 101(P); 2.25 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.

AIS 296 UROP Apprenticeship, Lower Division
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
Undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.
Prerequisites: acceptance to UROP; prior or conc reg in UROP seminar.

AIS 297 Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

AIS 299 Ad Hoc:
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.

AIS 308 Archaeology of North America
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Main pre-Columbian cultures on the North American continent, north of Mexico.
Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2019, Spring 2014.

AIS 308G Archaeology of North America
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Main pre-Columbian cultures on the North American continent, north of Mexico.
Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2019, Spring 2014.

AIS 310 Archaeology of Middle America
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Historical development and ecological settings of cultures and civilizations in Mexico and Central America from earliest times to the Spanish conquest.
Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2015.

AIS 310G Archaeology of Middle America
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Historical development and ecological settings of cultures and civilizations in Mexico and Central America from earliest times to the Spanish conquest.
Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2015.

AIS 311 The World of the Ancient Maya
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Historical development of ancient Maya civilization from its origins to the Spanish Conquest.
Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2015, Fall 2014.

AIS 311G The World of the Ancient Maya
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Historical development of ancient Maya civilization from its origins to the Spanish Conquest.
Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Fall 2015, Fall 2014.

AIS 314 American Indian Societies and Cultures
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Description and analysis of selected indigenous American cultures including subsistence, sociopolitical organizations, beliefs and Euro-American Indian policy.
Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 102(R).
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2015.

AIS 314G American Indian Societies and Cultures
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Description and analysis of selected indigenous American cultures including subsistence, sociopolitical organizations, beliefs and Euro-American Indian policy.
Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 102(R).
Last Taught: Spring 2018, Spring 2015.

AIS 321 Contemporary Issues of the American Indian
3 cr. Undergraduate.
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.
Prerequisites: junior standing or higher and completion of a prior SOCIOL course; or consent of the instructor. Open to special students.
General Education Requirements: CD, SS
Last Taught: Spring 2018.

AIS 360 Ezhi-Kinomaageying: Anishinaabe Curriculum
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Hist of Anishinaabe language instruction, including impact of social and political movements and contermporary trends. Review and creation of effective instructional methods for teaching Anishinaabemowin.
Prerequisites: AIS 252(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2022, Fall 2020, Fall 2018, Spring 2018.

AIS 362 System Failure: Globalization and Language Extinction
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Role of globalization in the projected extinction of a large number of the world's languages within the next century.
Prerequisites: junior standing; a course in social science; a course in linguistic anthropology; or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2014.

AIS 362G System Failure: Globalization and Language Extinction
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Role of globalization in the projected extinction of a large number of the world's languages within the next century.
Prerequisites: junior standing; a course in social science; a course in linguistic anthropology; or consent of instructor.
Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2014.

AIS 370 Anishinaabebiige: Archival to Contemporary Writing
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Introduction to researching, reading, and creating archival material for proficient speakers of Anishinaabemowin.
Prerequisites: AIS 252(P) or cons instr.
Last Taught: Spring 2022, Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2017.

AIS 372 Survey of American Indian Literature
3 cr. Undergraduate.
A general, representative study of the literature of the American Indian.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition Competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD, HU
Last Taught: Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022, Fall 2021.

AIS 473 History of Wisconsin Indians
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
History of Wisconsin tribes from their earliest years to the present, including European contacts, treaties, the fur trade, and wars.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Fall 2019, Fall 2018.

AIS 473G History of Wisconsin Indians
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
History of Wisconsin tribes from their earliest years to the present, including European contacts, treaties, the fur trade, and wars.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Fall 2019, Fall 2018.

AIS 474 Topics in North American Indian History:
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Detailed examination of such topics as Indian legal status, culture change, Indian education, Pan-Indianism and gender roles.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD

AIS 474G Topics in North American Indian History:
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Detailed examination of such topics as Indian legal status, culture change, Indian education, Pan-Indianism and gender roles.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD

AIS 475 American Indian History, Law, and Government
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
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.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Spring 2020, Spring 2019.

AIS 475G American Indian History, Law, and Government
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
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.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Spring 2020, Spring 2019.

AIS 489 Internship in American Indian Studies, Upper Division
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Application of advanced principles of American Indian Studies in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.
Prerequisites: jr st; 2.25 gpa; cons supervising faculty member.
Last Taught: Summer 2015, Spring 2015, Fall 2012.

AIS 496 UROP Apprenticeship, Upper DIvision
1-3 cr. Undergraduate.
Advanced-level undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.
Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance to UROP; prior or conc reg in UROP seminar.
Last Taught: Summer 2018.

AIS 497 Study Abroad:
1-12 cr. Undergraduate.
Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.
Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

AIS 499 Ad Hoc:
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.
Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.

AIS 520 Studies in American Indian Literature:
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Critical study of themes, figures, aspects, trends, etc., in American Indian Literature.
Prerequisites: jr st; satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req.
General Education Requirements: CD
Last Taught: Fall 2020, Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014.

AIS 525 American Indian Literature, Culture, and Creative Arts
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
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.
Prerequisites: jr st; completion of GER English Composition competency req.

AIS 525G American Indian Literature, Culture, and Creative Arts
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
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.
Prerequisites: jr st; completion of GER English Composition competency req.

AIS 600 Field Project - Capstone Research or Applied Project
3 cr. Undergraduate.
Research or applied project on area of student's interest under supervision of AIS faculty member. Formal field project paper required.
Prerequisites: jr st; declared AIS major.
Last Taught: Fall 2018, Spring 2017.

AIS 632 Seminar in American Indian Literature:
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Focus on major forms, prominent themes, or tribal traditions in the literature of the American Indian.
Prerequisites: senior standing, satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req, 9 cr ENGLISH and/or COMPLIT at the 300-level or above; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2021, Spring 2021.

AIS 632G Seminar in American Indian Literature:
3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.
Focus on major forms, prominent themes, or tribal traditions in the literature of the American Indian.
Prerequisites: senior standing, satisfaction of GER English Composition competency req, 9 cr ENGLISH and/or COMPLIT at the 300-level or above; or graduate standing.
Last Taught: Fall 2021, Spring 2021.

AIS 699 Advanced Independent Study
1-6 cr. Undergraduate.
Advanced independent work under the supervision of an AIS Program instructional staff member.
Prerequisites: jr st; 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, program coordinator, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.
Last Taught: Spring 2022, Summer 2019, Spring 2019, Summer 2018.

Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) Course Descriptions

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.