NASX - Native American Studies

NASX 105D  Introduction to Native American Studies: 3 Credits (2 Lec, 1 Other)

(F, Sp) A survey of traditional and contemporary American Indian cultures, the historical development of the unique relationship between the federal government and Indian nations, and current issues among Indian peoples.

NASX 205D  Native Americans in Contemporary Society: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Selected contemporary economic, social, political, educational, and cultural issues facing American Indians today, with special emphasis on tribal groups in Montana.

NASX 232D  MT Indians: Cultures, Histories, Current Issues: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

(F, Sp, Su) Movements of Indians into Montana. Social structures including kinship, political affiliations; military, warrior societies, and religion. Establishment of Montana's reservations; treaties and agreements with the federal government; vested rights of Indians; sovereignty and self-government; contemporary tribal governments; contemporary Indian societies; socioeconomic problems.

NASX 239  Native North American History through Art and Material Culture: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

The aesthetic, cultural, and symbolic meanings of traditional and contemporary American Indian art: Plains, Southwestern, Northwest Coast, and Inuit art and artists.

NASX 253  Indigenous Literature and the West: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

This course will familiarize us with Indigenous literature and its relation to the American and Canadian West. We will seek to retrace the creation of the Western mythos while placing Indigenous perspectives and literature at the center of our discussions.

NASX 265IH  World Indigenous Humanities: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Comparative survey of Indigenous cultural and aesthetic traditions around the world through analysis of art, literature, film, and photography. The establishment and impact of settler colonialism and decolonization theory and practice will help frame the analysis.

NASX 280IS  Native Ways of Knowing: 3 Credits (3 Other)

This course critically examines the political and academic foundations of Native American Studies. It analyzes the theoretical and methodological underpinnings, emphasizing indigenous paradigms and practices. Students are expected to think analytically, participate in discussion, and do original research.

NASX 290R  Undergraduate Research: 1-8 Credits (1-8 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor. Directed undergraduate research/creative activity. Course will address responsible conduct of research
Repeatable up to 8 credits.

NASX 291  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec)

Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number.
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

NASX 292  Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

NASX 294R  Seminar/Workshop: 1-2 Credits (1 Other)

Classroom instruction associated with directed undergraduate research and creative activity projects.
Repeatable up to 2 credits.

NASX 304  Native American Beliefs and Philosophy: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: NASX 105D or NASX 232D and upper division standing or consent of instructor. An in-depth analysis of specific contemporary and historic, tribal, and pan-Indian beliefs. Basic elements of Native American religions are defined from the perspective of the practitioner's understanding of their contributions to distinct cosmologies. The legal protection of Native American religions frames the analysis

NASX 310  Native Cultures of North America: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Histories and cultures of representative Native peoples of North America; impact of European discovery, conquest and colonization: political, social, and economic developments from pre-Colombian to present times including contemporary issues facing the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

NASX 340IH  Native American Literature: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: WRIT 101W. (F) Junior standing or instructor permission. Traditional and contemporary Native American literature including oral narratives, folktales, poetry, short stories, essays, and the novel. Methods of literary analysis will be explored to assist students in determining the meaning and function of the various genres

NASX 360IH  Native Americans and Cinema: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Historical, comparative survey of Native American and Indigenous cinemas. Analysis of films by and about American Indians and other Indigenous peoples globally, including feature, independent, and documentary films and digitally-produced media. Considerable attention is given to theory and method in Native American and Indigenous film studies.

NASX 405  Gender Issues in Native American Studies: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Upper division standing or consent of instructor. Compare and contrast the social construction of gender in Native American cultures and Euroamericans. Explore role of women, men and "two-spirit" gender of early North American Indigenous societies. Analyze the impact of European colonization on traditional roles and examine contemporary gender issues

NASX 415  Native Food Systems: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: NASX 105D or NASX 232D and upper division standing or consent of instructor. This course engages indigenous practices and beliefs, focusing particularly on the food systems of the Native Americans, and using comparative data from across time and place. Of specific interest are dynamic connections between Native foods and the health of people and place, both traditionally and in societies affected by colonization and rapid cultural change

NASX 430  American Indian Education: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Upper division standing or consent of instructor. Historical development and contemporary directions in American Indian education, values and assumptions inherent in programs devised at the state and federal levels and their results, the cultural basis of Indian education, and selected materials appropriate to the various educational levels

NASX 440  Montana Indian Literature: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Upper division standing or consent of instructor. Examination of literature written by and about Native American peoples in Montana. Emphasis on the changing status (function and value) of such writing and on social and political analyses of texts and writers, including Earling, McNickle, Mourning Dove, and Welch

NASX 450  History of American Indians: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Indian affairs in America from 1600-1970. Emphasis on white reaction to the American Indians and the effect of the European invasion on Indian culture.

NASX 455  Activism & Indigeneity: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITES: Any 400- or 500-level NASX course or equivalent ( e.g., upper division history, political science, or anthropology courses dealing with Indigenous peoples)
To explore historical and contemporary models of activism within Indigenous and non-indigenous communities, with an emphasis on producing authentic interdisciplinary initiatives that both indigenous and non-indigenous communities can use.

NASX 470  Indigenous Planning: Strategic Economic and Human Development Approaches: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

The intent of this course is to empower students through substantive knowledge of contemporary strategic planning and Indigenous community development. This course will build a foundational understanding of the political, legal and cultural protocols, values, social structure, development economics and traditional knowledge of American Indian, Alaska Native and Pacific Islander peoples, and engage with constructive planning practice that contributes to both local economic development and human development outcomes. Co-convened with NASX 570.

NASX 471  Native Grantsmanship: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

Teaches the fundamentals of grantsmanship, including: finding and assessing potential funders; strategic planning for grant writing; writing effective grant proposals; and, understanding the peer review process. Combines academic scholarship and real-world scenarios. Emphasizes topics of interest to Native American applicants and their allies. This course is co-convened wiht NASX 571.

NASX 476  American Indian Policy and Law: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: NASX 105D or NASX 232D and upper division standing or consent of instructor. Survey of institutions, laws, cultures, and political forces which shaped federal Indian policy from colonial times to the present. Examination of primary documents, treaties, case law, and agencies which are the foundations of federal relationships with Indian Tribes

NASX 490R  Undergraduate Research: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor Directed undergraduate research/creative activity which may culminate in a research paper, journal article, or undergraduate thesis. Course will address responsible conduct of research
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

NASX 490Z  Undergraduate Research: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

Directed undergraduate research/creative activity which may culminate in a research paper, journal article, or undergraduate thesis. Course will address responsible conduct of research. -.
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

NASX 491  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Lec, 1 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Course prerequisite as determined for each offering. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one-time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number. Co-convened with NASX 591
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

NASX 492  Independent Study: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Junior standing, consent of instructor, and approval of department head. Directed research and study on an individual basis. Co-convened with NASX 592
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

NASX 494  Seminar: 1 Credits (1 Other)

Classroom instruction associated with directed undergraduate research/creative activity projects.
Repeatable up to 4 credits.

NASX 498  Internship/Cooperative Educ: 2-12 Credits (2-12 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Consent of instructor An individualized assignment arranged with an agency, business or other organization to provide guided experience in the field
Repeatable up to 12 credits.

NASX 505  Proseminar Native Amer Studies: 3 Credits (3 Other)

PREREQUISITES: Graduate standing. This course is a Graduate introduction to Native American Studies

NASX 515  Native Food Systems: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

This course engages indigenous practices and beliefs, focusing particularly on the food systems of the Native Americans, and using comparative data from across time and place. Of specific interest are dynamic connections between Native foods and the health of people and place, both traditionally and in societies affected by colonization and rapid cultural change.

NASX 520  Fem/Gender Theories IN NAS: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. This course is intended to explore gender issues in Native American Studies. It will critically explore the problems and points of conflict between Native American women's gender concerns and Euroamerican feminist theories

NASX 521  Tribal Government: Yesterday & Today: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. The course examines the complexities of American Indian governments' organization, their histories, and the unique relationship between the Federal government and American Indian tribes. The course highlights several models of both traditional and contemporary tribal governance systems

NASX 523  Am Indians/Minority in High Ed: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing.. The course will develop and build the students' understanding of the historical and current situation of American Indians and other minorities in the U.S. higher education. It will also focus on the unique place of tribal colleges in the U.S. higher education

NASX 524  Contemporary Issues in American Indian Studies: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. The course is intended to develop and refine the students' knowledge of the historical background of American Indian issues and how history now affects the contemporary issues facing American Indians

NASX 525  Indigenous Philosophies/Sacred Ecologies: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. This course begins by examining indigenous philosophies of sacred ecologies, contrasting these views with those held by Europeans regarding the natural world. It traces the impact of historical colonialism in the environment up to contemporary conflicts over sacred sites and environmental resources

NASX 530  Federal Law and Indian Policy: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. Advanced analysis of theories, doctrines, case law, and legislation with a focus on key legal and policy concerns for contemporary Native America including treaties, criminal jurisdiction, land, environmental regulation, water rights, fishing and hunting, child welfare, gaming, taxation, repatriation, and religious freedom. Co-convened with NASX 476
Repeatable up to 3 credits.

NASX 540  Theoretical Positions in NAS: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. An introduction to the central conceptualizations of the academic discipline of Native American Studies and several of the theoretical paradigms operative within it. Students will gain an understanding of the contributions of Native American Studies to theoretical understandings within, across, and beyond dominant academic disciplines

NASX 541  Critical Approach to NAS Methods: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. A critical survey of the interdisciplinary approaches used in NAS grounded in a sociopolitical context with emphasis on ethical questions raised by research of Native Americans. Students receive individual attention toward formulating an effective methodology for their master's project

NASX 542  Research Praxis in Native American Studies: 6 Credits (3 Lec, 3 Lab)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing in Native American Studies. Students in other graduate programs are welcome with consent of instructor. An introduction to the central conceptualizations of the academic discipline of Native American Studies and theoretical/methodological paradigms operative within it. Students will gain an understanding of the contributions of Native American Studies to theoretical and methodological understandings within, across, and beyond dominant academic disciplines

NASX 550  Native Americans: Dispelling the Myths: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. This course is designed around a series of commonly held assumptions or "myths". When unexamined, these assumptions undermine our ability to communicate across cultures, and ultimately form the basis for some of the worst forms of racism and stereotyping. We wrestle with these preconceptions while learning the most basic elements of American Indian-which is to say American-history

NASX 551  Native North America: Art, Agency, Activism: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. NASX 551 explores Native

NASX 552  Indigenous Nations of Montana: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or consent of instructor. NASX 552 is a graduate level introduction to Montana's contemporary Indigenous Nations, with a summary overview of Montana's PaleoIndian prehistory and post-contact history. Students explore the traditional culture and history of each Montana tribe, and focus on the contemporary life and issues pertinent to each tribe

NASX 553  Indigenous Literature and the West: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITES: Graduate standing. This course will familiarize us with Indigenous literature and its relation to the American and Canadian West. We will seek to retrace the creation of the Western mythos while placing Indigenous perspectives and literature at the center of our discussions

NASX 554  Indian Education for All: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. This course is an in-depth analysis of the theory and practice of cultural diversity in educational contexts. It examines the historical, political, and cultural forces that foster systematic disparities based on ascribed characteristics, and critically examines strategies for addressing such disparities. The evolution and implementation of Indian Education for All is explored

NASX 555  Activism and Indigeneity: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITES: Any 400 or 500 NAS level course)
To explore historical and contemporary models of activism within Indigenous and non-indigenous communities, with an emphasis on producing authentic interdisciplinary initiatives that both indigenous and non-indigenous communities can use.

NASX 560  Native American Lit Tradition: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing
A survey of prose writing, mainly long fiction, by and about contemporary Native Americans.

NASX 570  Indigenous Planning: Strategic Economic and Human Development Approaches: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

The intent of this course is to empower students through substantive knowledge of contemporary strategic planning and Indigenous community development. This course will build a foundational understanding of the political, legal and cultural protocols, values, social structure, development economics and traditional knowledge of American Indian, Alaska Native and Pacific Islander peoples, and engage with constructive planning practice that contributes to both local economic development and human development outcomes. Co-convened with NASX 470.

NASX 571  Native Grantsmanship: 3 Credits (3 Lec)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. Teaches the fundamentals of grantsmanship, including: finding and assessing potential funders; strategic planning for grant writing; writing effective grant proposals; and, understanding the peer review process. Combines academic scholarship and real-world scenarios. Emphasizes topics of interest to Native American applicants and their allies

NASX 575  Professional Paper: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. A research or professional paper or project dealing with a topic in the field. The topic must have been mutually agreed upon by the student and his or her major adviser and graduate committee
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

NASX 589  Graduate Consultation: 1-3 Credits (1-3 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing. This course may be used only by graduate students who have completed all of their course work and their theses, if on a thesis plan, but who need additional faculty or staff time and assistance
Repeatable up to 3 credits.

NASX 590  Master's Thesis: 1-10 Credits (1-10 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing
Repeatable up to 99 credits.

NASX 591  Special Topics: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Upper division courses and others as determined for each offering. Courses not required in any curriculum for which there is a particular one time need, or given on a trial basis to determine acceptability and demand before requesting a regular course number. Co-convened with NASX 491
Repeatable up to 6 credits.

NASX 592  Independent Study: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, consent of instructor, and approval of department head. Directed research and study on an individual basis
Repeatable up to 3 credits.

NASX 594  Seminar: 1-4 Credits (1-4 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing or seniors by petition. Course prerequisites as determined for each offering. Topics offered at the graduate level which are not covered in regular courses. Students participate in preparing and presenting discussion material
Repeatable up to 4 credits.

NASX 598  Internship: 1-6 Credits (1-6 Other)

PREREQUISITE: Graduate standing, consent of instructor and approval of department head. An individualized assignment arranged with an agency, business or other organization to provide guided experience in the field
Repeatable up to 6 credits.