Almost one year after being announced at the April 2022 faculty meeting, the Critical Native American and Indigenous Studies concentration is now available for students.
The Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative began the concentration’s development in the spring of 2021 with hopes of launching in fall 2021 or 2022, The Herald previously reported. Its introductory course, ETHN 1200K: “Introduction to American Indian Studies,” is available on Courses@Brown for fall 2023.
The 10-credit concentration explores four themes, also called Concentration Breadth Areas: Creative Expression; History, Politics and Policy Issues; Language and Identity; and Systems of Knowledge and Belief, according to the University Bulletin. The concentration’s development was supported by a Mellon Foundation grant NAISI received, The Herald previously reported.
The concentration only includes two mandatory courses: ETHN 1200K and NAIS 1900: “Critical NAIS Capstone Course,” which will be offered beginning spring 2024.
The capstone course, restricted to seniors, will provide students with “the opportunity to share their research; reflect on what the field of NAIS is (and is) becoming; and consider how their work relates to the field as a whole,” according to the course description. Students may submit research papers, projects or a write-up associated with a relevant engagement or internship experience as a capstone.
To pursue honors in the concentration, students must complete a thesis research project. Their proposal must be approved by a faculty advisor and the NAIS Departmental Undergraduate Group. Completed theses must be submitted by the third week of April for spring graduation, or the first Monday of December for winter graduation.
Neil Mehta is the editor-in-chief and president of the Brown Daily Herald's 134th editorial board. They study public health and statistics at Brown. Outside the office, you can find Neil baking and playing Tetris.
