Indigenous Nations and Native American Studies BA/BS Requirements
The major focuses on critical studies and practices of traditional and cultural ecological knowledge, Native and Indigenous methodologies, Tribal race theory, and contemporary themes such as community health, food sovereignty, creative expression through literature and film, self-determination, Indigenous land and community care—including that of global Indigenous communities. The major can prepare you for a wide variety of careers, while the minor pairs well with any other PSU major.
Core Courses (24 credits)
- NAS 201 Introduction to Native American Studies (4 credits)
- NAS 344 Indigenous Women Leadership (4 credits)
- NAS 346 Contemporary Issues in Indian Country (4 credits)
- NAS 392 Indigenous Ways of Knowing (4 credits)
- NAS 426 Tribal Critical Race Theory (4 credits)
- NAS 442 Decolonizing Methodologies: Insurgent Research and Indigenous Education (4 credits)
*NAS 201 is a required prerequisite for NAS 426 and NAS 442 (as well as NAS 422 and NAS 424).
Experiential Learning Requirement (8 credits)
- NAS 404 Cooperative Education/Internship (4 credits)
- NAS 407 Indigenous Ecological Healing Practices (4 credits)
*The objective of the internship requirement is to ensure that students have real-world experiences, allowing them to apply their learning from other courses. It is therefore best to take this course in your final term.
Electives (24 credits; 8 or more credits must be NAS courses; no more than 4 credits may be lower-division)
*Students may seek approval to allow use of a Capstone to serve as both an INNAS elective and a UNST Capstone requirement. An INNAS advisor can support you with this request.
Any 300- or 400-level NAS course
Anth 313U Native American-Settler Relations
Anth 314U Native Americans
Anth 320 Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast
Anth 364U The Archaeology of the Pacific Northwest
Anth 417 Advanced Topics in Native American Studies
Anth 456 Cultural and Heritage Resources Management
BSt 326U Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
BSt 444 Food Justice
ChLa 303U Chicana/Latina Experience
ChLa 325/Hst 325 Chicano/a History, 1492-1900
ChLa 326U/Hst 326U Chicano/a History, 1900-Present
ChLa 331U Barrio Culture: Art and Literature
ChLa 375U Southwestern Borderlands
Eng 309U/NAS 309U Indigenous Nations Literature
Hst 330U Native Americans of Eastern North America
Hst 331U Native Americans of Western North America
Hst 349U United States Indian Policy
Mus 378U World Music: Native American Traditions
PHE 215 Why Public Health Needs Indigenous Values: Intro to Decolonizing Public Health
PHE 315 Justice in Public Health: The Epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Peoples
PHE 415 Native American Health: Decolonizing Health Equity
PIAA 301 Introduction to Pacific Islander Studies
Psy 410 Native American Psychological Thought
WS 375U Topics in Sexuality Studies
WS 381 Queer of Color Theorizing and Perspectives
WS 451 Interrupting Oppression
UnSt 421 Native Tiny Home Village (Barbie's Village)
UnSt 421 Indigenous Education & Garden at NAYA
UnSt 421 Indigenous Grantwriting
UnSt 421 Environmental Justice and Salmon
Subtotal: 24
*Other variable and special topic courses with a focus on Indigenous Nations, Native Americans, and American Indians/Alaska Natives may count as electives; in these instances, students should consult with the department chair or an INNAS advisor for approval.
*The minimum grade allowed to pass major requirements is a C-. P/NP grading option are by arrangement only and subject to department approval.
56 total credits
Indigenous Nations Studies Minor Requirements
The minor is designed to serve students who:
- wish to combine the study of Native/Indigenous epistemologies (knowledge systems and worldviews) with their major;
- plan careers in business, education, healthcare, non-profit, social services, and/or tribal government, and wish to develop skills for working with Native/Indigenous communities;
- have a general interest in Native/Indigenous cultures and communities and/or wish to connect or reconnect with their own Indigeneity;
- seek a high-value minor they are able to complete fully online.
Core Courses
- NAS 201 Introduction to Native American Studies (4 credits)
- NAS 404 Cooperative Education/Internship (4 credits)
*The objective of the internship requirement is to ensure that students have real-world experiences allowing them to apply their learning from other courses. It is therefore best to take this course in your final term.
*By 1) completing the NAS 404 as a “by-arrangement” with an INST faculty, and 2) selecting online elective courses from the list below, you can complete the minor fully online. Please contact the department chair or iteck@pdx.edu.
Upper-Division Electives (24 credits chosen from the following or other adviser-approved courses)
Any 300- or 400-level NAS course
Anth 313U Native American-Settler Relations
Anth 314U Native Americans
Anth 320 Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast
Anth 364U The Archaeology of the Pacific Northwest
Anth 417 Advanced Topics in Native American Studies
Anth 456 Cultural and Heritage Resources Management
BSt 326U Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico
BSt 444 Food Justice
ChLa 303U Chicana/Latina Experience
ChLa 325/Hst 325 Chicano/a History, 1492-1900
ChLa 326U/Hst 326U Chicano/a History, 1900-Present
ChLa 331U Barrio Culture: Art and Literature
ChLa 375U Southwestern Borderlands
Eng 309U/NAS 309U Indigenous Nations Literature
Hst 330U Native Americans of Eastern North America
Hst 331U Native Americans of Western North America
Hst 349U United States Indian Policy
Mus 378U World Music: Native American Traditions
PHE 215 Why Public Health Needs Indigenous Values: Intro to Decolonizing Public Health
PHE 315 Justice in Public Health: The Epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Peoples
PHE 415 Native American Health: Decolonizing Health Equity
PIAA 301 Introduction to Pacific Islander Studies
Psy 410 Native American Psychological Thought
WS 375U Topics in Sexuality Studies
WS 381 Queer of Color Theorizing and Perspectives
WS 451 Interrupting Oppression
UnSt 421 Native Tiny Home Village (Barbie's Village)
UnSt 421 Indigenous Education & Garden at NAYA
UnSt 421 Indigenous Grantwriting
UnSt 421 Environmental Justice and Salmon
32 total credits
*Students may overlap University Studies requirements (Cluster and Capstone) with minor requirements.
*The minimum grade allowed to pass minor requirements is a C-. P/NP grading option are by arrangement only and subject to department approval.