Total: 18 Units
It is anticipated that AIS 100 may be used for the American Indian Studies Minor and to satisfy General Education requirements.
Note: The minor also requires a 2.0 GPA and 6 upper-division units in residence.
About the Program
The American Indian Studies program (AIS) at California State University, Fresno offers an interdisciplinary curriculum that provides culturally-appropriate knowledge and skills through an understanding of the American Indians in North America. The program also involves its faculty and students in research, experiential learning, career counseling, computer technology, curriculum development, conference participation, and day, evening, and weekend courses.
The program offers courses leading to a minor in American Indian Studies. Students can seek other professional degrees in such areas as business, human resources, teacher education, and law. The program teaches appreciation for the heritage of American Indians and their contributions to the shaping of the fabric of American life and history.
Faculty Specialties
The AIS program is made up of faculty with backgrounds and expertise in business, English, history, education, Anthropology, and American Indian affairs.
American Indian Studies is a discipline within the Anthropology Department that focuses on the indigenous cultures of ancient, historical, and contemporary America. American Indian cultures include American Indians, Arctic Natives, as well as the indigenous populations of Northern Mexico. This program recognizes the artificiality of both the Canadian and the Mexican borders, but is primarily concerned with the indigenous populations of the USA. The courses offer a distinctively American perspectives that is crucial to an understanding of the historical and social processes that have led to the development of contemporary American society. This program is intended to strengthen the position of American Indian students and communities in this region as well as introduce these cultures to all students. Courses are interdisciplinary and are principally drawn from the social sciences and the humanities.
Student Life and Community Events
The office of the AIS program serves as a resource and information center for American Indian student organizations and the community at large.
Neum Native American Student Association (NASA)
Neum NASA is a student organization open to all Indigenous and non-Indigenous students.They sponsor activities and host events to help raise awareness for a better understanding ofthe Native American community by promoting mutual respect among all people. FormerlyFirst Nations, the club started in 1969 as the Tewaquachi American Indian Club. In 1983,Tewaquachi sponsored the first annual American Indian Heritage Week and Fresno State PowWow. These events helped promote Fresno as a focal point in the San Joaquin Valley forNative American people to unite and work together uplift ing the culture and welfare of theNative American students and community. Today, the Native American Student Associationcarries on the tradition of hosting the annual Fresno State Pow Wow on our campus andactively seeks to raise the social consciousness by creating an environment of awareness andunderstanding of all Native American people.