Major in Indigenous Studies

Course Requirements

Indigenous Studies Core (18 credits)

• IDS 101LEC - Introduction to Indigenous Studies Credits: 3
• IDS 103LEC - Introduction to Haudenosaunee Languages and Culture Credits: 3

• IDS 231SEM - Early Indigenous History to 1871 Credits: 3 OR
• IDS 232SEM - Indigenous History Since 1872 Credits: 3

• IDS 301LEC - Introduction to Contemporary and Critical Indigenous Studies Credits: 3
• IDS 302LEC - Indigenous Media Credits: 3
• IDS 420SEM - Indigenous Knowledge and Methods Credits: 3

Six elective courses (minimum 18 credits)

Complete 18 credits from the lists below. At least five courses (15 credits) must be at the 300/400-level. It is recommended that students select electives from Indigenous Politics and Movements, Land-Based or Language to allow for depth in one of these areas.

Indigenous Politics and Movements 

• IDS 206SEM - Indigenous Women: History and Theory Credits: 3
• IDS 207SEM - Indigenous Resistance and Resurgence Credits: 3
• IDS 272LEC - Indigenous Literature Credits: 3
• IDS 306SEM - Indigenous Aesthetics Credits: 3
• IDS 312SEM - Six Nations Peoples in Contemporary Times Credits: 3
• IDS 430SEM - Indigenous in Academia: Intellectual Histories Credits: 3

Land-Based 

• IDS 104LEC - Introduction to Land-Based Learning Credits: 3
• IDS 105SEM - Intro to Land Based Learning II Credits: 3
• IDS 204LEC - Indigenous Environmental Justice Credits: 3
• IDS 304SEM - Indigenous Climate Justice Credits: 3
• IDS 310SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
• IDS 324SEM - Introduction to Indigenous Science Credits: 3
• IDS 344SEM - Indigenous Health and the Environment Credits: 3
• IDS 410SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3

Language

• TUS 101SEM - Introduction to Tuscarora Language Credits: 3
• MOH 101SEM - Introduction to Mohawk Language Credits: 3
• SCN 101SEM - Introduction to Seneca Language Credits: 3
• IDS 210LEC - Special Topics Credits: 3
• TUS 301SEM - Intermediate Tuscarora Language Credits: 3
• MOH 301SEM - Intermediate Mohawk Language Credits: 3
• IDS 310SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
• IDS 410SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3

Broader Electives 

• IDS 100SEM - Indigenous Learning Community: Indigenizing Student Success Credits: 1
• IDS 210LEC - Special Topics Credits: 3
• IDS 270LEC - Indigenous Film Studies Credits: 3
• IDS 310SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
• IDS 330SEM - Afro-Indigeneity: Black Natives, Anti-Blackness, and DecolonizationCredits: 3
• IDS 332SEM - Indigenous Perspective on US History Credits: 3
• IDS 340SEM - Public Health and Indigenous Wellbeing Credits: 3
• IDS 410SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
• IDS 432SEM - Topics in Indigenous History Credits: 3
• IDS 434SEM - Indigenous Workers: Native Proletarians under Capitalism Credits: 3
• IDS 436SEM - Not Recognized: Struggle for Indigenous Rights, Land, and Acknowledgement Credits: 3
• IDS 440SEM - Methods and Theory in Indigenous Historical Research Credits: 3
• IDS 496TUT - Indigenous Studies Internship Credits: 1-6
• IDS 498TUT - Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Credits: 3

Total Credits Required for Major: 36

Additional Degree Requirements Include:

• Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
• Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This chart should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Upon successful completion of a BA in Indigenous Studies, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of the history of contact and its relationship to current political organizing of Indigenous Nations.
• Identify and evaluate appropriate approaches to tackling the social, cultural, and political issues faced by Indigenous communities at the local, national, and international level.
• Use and evaluate Indigenous research methods to examine, analyze, and present on current and past issues.
• Incorporate empirical evidence, theoretical social science, legal understanding of federal Indian law and key components of Indigenous representations into their written and oral arguments.
• Apply a multidisciplinary Indigenous-centered research and teaching that is responsive to and beneficial to Indigenous nations, communities, and organizations in local, national and global contexts.