Location: Landrum Academic Center 217C
Telephone: 859-572-5259
Fax: 859-572-6086
Email Address: jones33@nku.edu; batesh@nku.edu
Web Address: http://inside.nku.edu/artsci/departments/sapdept/anthropology/undergraduate-programs/native-american-studies-minor.html
Program Director: Sharyn Jones and Eric Bates, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Philosophy
Native American Studies focuses on the prehistory, history, contemporary situation, and way of life of Native Americans (American Indians). For more than 95 percent of the time that humans have lived in the Americas, the only people here have been Native Americans. To understand the history and cultures of the Americas, one must start with Native peoples of these lands. Far from disappearing either physically or culturally, Native Americans today are increasing in numbers and represent hundreds of vibrant and unique ways of life. To learn about Native Americans is to explore yet another avenue of what it means to be human.
The commonwealth of Kentucky is rich in Native American culture. NKU is located in the heart of the prehistoric Ohio Valley mound-builder cultures of Adena, Hopewell, and Fort Ancient, on lands claimed by both the historic Shawnee and Cherokee. The University is only about 50 miles from the Kentucky Center for Native American Arts and Culture and is recognized by the Kentucky Native American Heritage Commission. NKU’s Native American studies program is the only such program in Kentucky. NAS minors are encouraged to participate in NKU’s two Native American student organizations: the Native American Student Association and Kiksuya. Each year, NKU anthropology faculty present the Outstanding Student in Native American Studies Award. NAS minors may actively engage in Native American studies outside the classroom (including working on museum exhibits and develop résumé-worthy skills important in the job quest. Through Kiksuya, NKU students can visit a reservation in the Dakotas.
The Native American Studies minor helps students develop specific skill-sets that can be applied to many carrier-paths such as Native policies/affairs, film, literature, history, arts, and environmental issues. NAS minors are also able to navigate the many growing cross-cultural and diversity issues that exists in the United States.
♦ Indicates prerequisite.
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