American Indian Studies

OFFICE: Arts and Letters 331
TELEPHONE: 619-594-6991
WEBSITE: http://ais.sdsu.edu

The Major

A major in American Indian Studies provides students with a liberal arts education focused on equity and cultural diversity. The American Indian Studies program takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of Native American and Indigenous peoples. Using literature, art, history, and politics as touchstones, students come to understand the individual, as well as Native nations. Special emphasis is given to the Indigenous communities of Southern California. Courses also draw comparisons between American Indian life and the life of other members of American society. A degree in American Indian Studies prepares students for various careers both in and outside Indian Country. Many of our majors find employment with tribal education programs, social and human services programs, and cultural preservation divisions. Employment opportunities are available with the various federal agencies that work with Native American communities, including the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian Health Service, and National Indian Gaming Commission. Majors are qualified to work in a wide range of non-American Indian fields that serve Native communities, to include engineering/architectural consulting, entrepreneurship, environmental planning, financial services, and hospitality.

Advising

All College of Arts and Letters majors are urged to consult with their department adviser as soon as possible; they are required to meet with their department adviser within the first two semesters after declaration or change of major.

Faculty

Chair: Murdock, Esme G., Associate Professor of American Indian Studies (B.A., Barnard College; Ph.D., Michigan State University)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Chilcote, Olivia M., Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies (B.A., California State Polytechnic University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley)

Kamper, David M., Associate Professor of American Indian Studies (B.A., Columbia University; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles)

Muñoz, Oscar, Assistant Professor of American Indian Studies (B.A., California State University, San Bernardino; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Riverside)

Additional Faculty

Field, Margaret C., Professor of American Indian Studies (B.Ed., University of Alaska, Fairbanks; M.A., Ph.D., University of California, Santa Barbara)

Lecturers:

Banegas, Ethan, M.A., History

Cornell, Caleigh B., M.A., English

Dyer-Redner, Kenneth, M.A., American Indian Studies

Fowler, Matthew, M.F.A., Creative Writing

Hassing, Desmond, M.A., Theater

Lomayesva, Devon Reed, J.D., Law

Lynch, Cassady, M.A., Rhetoric

Ortiz, Diana, M.A., American Indian Studies, M.A., Higher Education

Thompson, Caitlyn, M.F.A., Creative Writing, M.A., Linguistics

Emeritus Faculty:

Kilpatrick, Alan E., 1993-2010, Professor of American Indian Studies

Locklear, Linda R., 1988-2018, Lecturer in American Indian Studies