Though only 1.9% of the US population, Native Americans have played and continue to play an important part in American society. Largely invisibilized by the foregrounding of other ethnic minority groups, Native Americans in the US struggle for recognition (federal, state, and local), for survival as cultural groups (cf. Ile de Jean Charles evacuation/resettlement), and for basic rights (legal protections, religious freedom, education, health services, and subsistence). Researchers at Tulane are actively involved with Native American tribes of Louisiana, working with them on issues of language and culture revitalization, displacement due to coastal erosion, health concerns and services, and equity issues. There are many courses at Tulane that deal with Native American culture, history, and languages. Through a structured introduction to these peoples and cultures, Tulane students can gain an appreciation for continuing contribution of these communities to the American story. Students will also have an opportunity to work closely with researchers collaborating with Native communities, learning as they contribute to projects bolstering indigenous lifeways.
As Tulane is committed to increasing diversity, recognition of Native American presence, persistence and legacies (tangible and intangible) contributes to our educational mission.
Mission: To further understanding of indigenous peoples and the issues confronting their communities through engaged learning and research.
The Native American Studies minor requires five courses (15 Credits).
Two of the following:
1. ANTH 1050 ( c.h.)
2. ANTH 3535 Native American Language and Linguistics (3 c.h.)
3. An archaeology course chosen from the archaeology course offerings list below.
Three electives:
Students will choose three elective courses for the minor from the list below. Courses not listed below with 60% or more Native American content can be added to the student’s program by approval of the director.
| Course ID | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Archaeology Course Offerings: (one course is required for the minor, additional courses may count as electives.) | ||
| ANTH 3060 | South American Indians | 3 |
| ANTH 3240 | Ancient Civilizations of Mesoamerica | 3 |
| ANTH 4120 | Conquest and Colonialism | 3 |
| ANTH 4130 | North American Prehistory | 3 |
| ANTH 4410 | Olmec and Maya Civilization | 3 |
| ANTH 6100 | South American Archaeology | 3 |
| ANTH 6130 | Southeastern U.S. Prehistory | 3 |
| Introductory Course, Core Option: | ||
| ANTH 1050 | 3 | |
| Linguistic Component of the Core: | ||
| ANTH 3535 | Native American Language and Linguistics | 3 |
| ANTH 4930 | Languages of Louisiana | 3,4 |
| ANTH 6700 | Spoken Nahuatl | 3 |
| ANTH 6800 | Spoken Yucatecan Maya | 3 |
| ANTH 6840 | Beginning Kaqchikel (Maya) Language | 3,4 |
| ANTH 6845 | Beginning K'iche' Language | 3 |
| ANTH 6850 | Intermediate K'iche' Language | 3 |
| ANTH 6855 | Advanced K'iche' Language | 3 |
| LING 3000 | Tunica La's Sleeping Language | 3 |
| Other electives | ||
| ANTH 3570 | Indigenous Movements in Latin America | 3 |
| ANTH 3580 | The Politics of Fieldwork | 3 |
| ANTH 3710 | Historical Ecology of Amazonia | 3 |
| ANTH 6860 | Introduction to K’iche’ Culture | 3 |
| ANTH 6870 | Kaqchikel Maya Culture | 3 |
| MUSC 4270 | Indigenous media and sound in Latin America | 3 |
| ARHS 3700 | Pre-Columbian Art | 3 |
| ENLS 4870 | Global Literatures | 3 |
Additional courses: This is a one credit TIDES course and does NOT count toward the minor, but may be taken during a student’s first semester as an introduction to indigenous cultures of Louisiana.
TIDES Indian Tribes Down The Bayou: Native American Communities of Southeastern Louisiana.