MSU Billings Catalog

NASX - Native American Studies

NASX 105 Intro Native American Studies. 3 Credits

Covers the scope and concepts of American Indian Studies. Provides a general overview of Indian culture, sociology, values, and history from both a national and regional perspective. Considers the interaction between Indian and non-Indian cultures.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 205 Native Americans in Contmp Soc. 3 Credits

Analytical and evaluative examination of the sociology of Native Americans. Emphasis on the issues raised by the interface of the Native American culture and values with the majority cultures of the United States, including problem areas such as alcoholism, alienation, education, health, crime, and intercultural relations.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 294 Seminar/Workshop. 1-3 Credits

Provides an opportunity for experimental study in an area of Native American Studies.

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 298 Internship/Cooperative Educ. 1-9 Credits

Provides university credit for a sophomore work experience in the area of Native American Studies supervised by faculty. Learning agreement must be completed prior to registration (restricted).

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 332 MT Indians:Cltrs,Hist & Issues. 3 Credits

Provides a description and analysis of Montana tribes including tribal oral traditions, rock art, intercultural relations, culture change, the impact of Euro-American exploration, the fur trade, and early Westward expansion. Attention is given to the Indian wars, development of the reservation system, persistence and revival of Indian culture, civil rights, and urbanization.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 340 Native American Literature. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): ENST 210 or consent of instructor.

Includes fictional and non-fictional oral, written, and visual literature pertaining to Native Americans and created by Indians and non- Indians including traditional literature such as legends, myths, teaching stories, humor, songs, orations, dramas, captivity accounts, sign language, winter counts, and hide paintings; contemporary literature such as poetry, songs, short stories, novels, humor, newspapers, theatricals, movies, television, and picture books; and translation, interpretation, and criticism, with insight drawn from Indian cultural traditions, the humanities, and the social sciences.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 350 Native Americans & Environment. 3 Credits

Examines traditional beliefs and attitudes of Native Americans with respect to the natural environment as expressed in speeches, stories, and prayer. Surveys traditional techniques and uses of land, plants, and animals. Contemporary environmental issues and actions confronting American Indians are also analyzed.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 379 Federal Indian Law. 3 Credits

Covers the development of federal, state, and tribal statutes dealing with Native Americans; judicial decisions that have significant input on the legal status of Indian tribes and individuals; and federal agency policy which constitutes administrative law for tribes. Discusses the impact of Western European and United States jurisprudence on the history and culture of the Indian.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 406 Hist of American Indian Women. 3 Credits

Provides a description and analysis of Indian women from oral histories, legends, and research literature. Attention is given to the roles and responsibilities of Indian women within tribal culture and in response to intercultural relations with other tribes and to Euro-American impact. The challenges and accomplishments of Indian women as leaders, homemakers, warriors, healers, and artists will be examined. Course materials will include discussion of the role of women in the evolution of bi-cultural living with particular concentration on the impact of the fur trade and education. Attention is paid to methods and findings derived from archeology, oral traditions, ethnographic studies, and historical sources.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 419 Federal Indian Policy. 3 Credits

Prerequisite(s): NASX 105 or NASX 205.

Explores the development of the United States’ federal Indian policy from colonial times to the present. Follows the evolution of federal Indian policy as a result of tensions between assimilation and separation forces in general and of other legal, political, economic and social forces acting in the United States. Explores how contemporary American Indians fit into the American political system.

Lecture Hours 3

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 492 Independent Study. 1-5 Credits

Provides an opportunity for students of superior academic standing to explore material not covered by the regular courses.

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 494 Seminar/Workshop. 1-3 Credits

Provides advanced students an opportunity to investigate intensively topics pertinent to the field of Native American Studies.

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL

NASX 498 Internship/Cooperative Educ. 1-12 Credits

Prerequisite(s): consent of instructor and consent of chairperson of department.

Provides outstanding students an individual opportunity to explore material not covered by regular Native American Studies courses. No more than 6 hours may be counted toward a Native American Studies minor.

Department: NAS/PS/SOCL