American Indian Studies (AIS)

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Indigenous experience in the land now called U.S.A.; colonization, tradition and spirituality, indigenousness and sovereignty; current issues, e.g., language preservation, treaty rights, social justice. Theoretical approaches.

Prerequisites: none.

General Education Requirements: Civics and Perspectives

Last Taught: Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

4 cr. Undergraduate.

First-semester speaking, listening, and writing skills in an Indigenous language of Wisconsin.

Prerequisites: none.

Course Rules: Previously AIS 161. Retakeable with change in topic to 12 cr max. Satisfies L&S Language Requirement and World Language GER. Meets Cultural Diversity GER.

Last Taught: Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

4 cr. Undergraduate.

Second-semester speaking, listening, and writing skills in an indigenous language of Wisconsin.

Prerequisites: AIS 161(P) or level 2 placement. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (4 retro cr).

Course Rules: Previously AIS 162. Retakeable with change in topic to 12 cr max. Satisfies L&S Language Requirement and Foreign Language GER. Meets Cultural Diversity GER.

Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.

Prerequisites: none.

Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Specific topics are announced in the Schedule of Classes each time the class is offered.

Prerequisites: none.

Course Rules: Open only to freshmen. Students may earn cr in just one L&S First-Year Sem (course numbers 192, 193, 194).

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Independent work supervised by a member of the AIS Program instructional staff.

Prerequisites: 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, program coordinator, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.

Course Rules: Retakable with change in topic to 6 cr max.

Last Taught: Summer 2018, Spring 2018, Fall 2017.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Study of western Great Lakes American Indian community life of the past, with an emphasis on pre-European conditions, social organizations, value systems, family life, ceremonial life.

Prerequisites: none.

Course Rules: Counts as a repeat of Ethnic 203.

Last Taught: Spring 2024, Fall 2023, Spring 2023, Fall 2022.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

4 cr. Undergraduate.

Fourth-semester speaking, listening and writing skills in Anishinaabemowin the language of the Great Lakes Three Fires Confederacy and current Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi nations.

Prerequisites: AIS 251 or level 4 placement. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (12retro cr)..

Course Rules: Satisfies L&S Language Requirement and Foreign Language GER. Meets Cultural Diversity GER.

Last Taught: Spring 2023, Spring 2021, Spring 2020, Spring 2019.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

A survey of Native American history from aboriginal times to 1887. Emphasis will be placed on American policies and change within Indian societies.

Prerequisites: none.

Course Rules: AIS 262 & HIST 262 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

General Education Requirements: Civics and Perspectives

Last Taught: Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

A survey of American Indian history since 1887 with emphasis on federal policies and changing Indian societies in the twentieth century.

Prerequisites: none.

Course Rules: AIS 263 & HIST 263 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

General Education Requirements: Civics and Perspectives

Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2024, Spring 2023, Spring 2022.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Third-semester speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in an indigenous language of Wisconsin.

Prerequisites: AIS 172(P) or level 3 placement.

Course Rules: Retakeable to 15 cr max. Previously AIS 251. Meets Cultural Diversity GER. Satisfies L&S Language Requirement and Foreign Language GER. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (8 retro cr).

Last Taught: Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Fourth-semester speaking, listening, reading and writing skills in an indigenous language of Wisconsin.

Prerequisites: AIS 271(P) or level 4 placement.

Course Rules: Repeatable to 15 cr max. The topic 'Ojibwe' counts as a repeat of AIS 252. Satisfies L&S Language Requirement and Foreign Language GER. Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (11 retro cr).

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Literature of the American Indian, focusing on major forms, prominent themes, or a particular tribe of time period.

Prerequisites: none.

Course Rules: AIS 276 and ENGLISH 276 are jointly offered and count as repeats of one another with the same topic. Retakeable with change in topic to 9 cr max.

General Education Requirements: Civics and Perspectives

Last Taught: Fall 2025, Spring 2025, Fall 2024, Spring 2024.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-6 cr. Undergraduate.

Application of basic principles of American Indian Studies in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate settings.

Prerequisites: AIS 101(P), 2.25 GPA, and consent of supervising faculty member.

Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. Retakable to 6 cr max.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-3 cr. Undergraduate.

Undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.

Prerequisites: acceptance to UROP; prior or conc reg in UROP seminar.

Course Rules: One credit for 45 hrs research. Retakable to 9 cr max in any combination of UROP apprenticeship courses.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-12 cr. Undergraduate.

Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.

Prerequisites: acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-6 cr. Undergraduate.

Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.

Prerequisites: none; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.

Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Historical development of ancient Maya civilization from its origins to the Spanish Conquest.

Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.

Course Rules: AIS 311 & Anthro 311 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Fall 2015, Fall 2014.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Historical development of ancient Maya civilization from its origins to the Spanish Conquest.

Prerequisites: jr st; Anthro 103(P) or cons instr.

Course Rules: AIS 311 & Anthro 311 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Fall 2015, Fall 2014.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Hist of Anishinaabe language instruction, including impact of social and political movements and contermporary trends. Review and creation of effective instructional methods for teaching Anishinaabemowin.

Prerequisites: AIS 252(P) or cons instr.

Course Rules: Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (16 retro cr).

Last Taught: Spring 2022, Fall 2020, Fall 2018, Spring 2018.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Role of globalization in the projected extinction of a large number of the world's languages within the next century.

Prerequisites: junior standing; a course in social science; a course in linguistic anthropology; or consent of instructor.

Course Rules: AIS 362, ANTHRO 362, and GLOBAL 362 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2014.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Role of globalization in the projected extinction of a large number of the world's languages within the next century.

Prerequisites: junior standing; a course in social science; a course in linguistic anthropology; or consent of instructor.

Course Rules: AIS 362, ANTHRO 362, and GLOBAL 362 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Spring 2020, Fall 2014.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Introduction to researching, reading, and creating archival material for proficient speakers of Anishinaabemowin.

Prerequisites: AIS 252(P) or cons instr.

Course Rules: Generates L&S credit for demonstrated equivalent preparation (16 retro crs).

Last Taught: Spring 2022, Spring 2019, Spring 2018, Spring 2017.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

A general, representative study of the literature of the American Indian.

Prerequisites: junior standing; and completion of Oral and Written Communication Competency Part A (OWC-A) requirement or ENGLISH 102(P).

Course Rules: AIS 372 and ENGLISH 372 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Spring 2025, Spring 2023, Fall 2022, Spring 2022.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Detailed examination of such topics as Indian legal status, culture change, Indian education, Pan-Indianism and gender roles.

Prerequisites: junior standing; and completion of Oral and Written Communication Competency Part A (OWC-A) requirement or ENGLISH 102(P); or graduate standing.

Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max. AIS 474 and HIST 474 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Spring 2025.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Detailed examination of such topics as Indian legal status, culture change, Indian education, Pan-Indianism and gender roles.

Prerequisites: junior standing; and completion of Oral and Written Communication Competency Part A (OWC-A) requirement or ENGLISH 102(P); or graduate standing.

Course Rules: May be retaken with change in topic to 9 cr max. AIS 474 and HIST 474 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Spring 2025.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

American Indian political systems; their interaction with U.S. Indian policy. Indigenous systems of governance; European legal justification for colonization; American Indian sovereignty; Federal-Tribal relationship.

Prerequisites: junior standing; and completion of Oral and Written Communication Competency Part A (OWC-A) requirement or ENGLISH 102(P); or graduate standing.

Course Rules: No credit for students with credit in HIST 474 with similar topic. AIS 475 and HIST 475 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Fall 2025, Fall 2024.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

American Indian political systems; their interaction with U.S. Indian policy. Indigenous systems of governance; European legal justification for colonization; American Indian sovereignty; Federal-Tribal relationship.

Prerequisites: junior standing; and completion of Oral and Written Communication Competency Part A (OWC-A) requirement or ENGLISH 102(P); or graduate standing.

Course Rules: No credit for students with credit in HIST 474 with similar topic. AIS 475 and HIST 475 are jointly offered; they count as repeats of one another.

Last Taught: Fall 2025, Fall 2024.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-6 cr. Undergraduate.

Application of advanced principles of American Indian Studies in a business, organizational, educational, political, or other appropriate setting.

Prerequisites: junior standing; 2.25 GPA and consent of supervising faculty member.

Course Rules: One cr earned for academic work based on 40 hours in internship. Retakable to 6 cr max.

Last Taught: Summer 2025, Summer 2024, Summer 2015, Spring 2015.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-3 cr. Undergraduate.

Advanced-level undergraduate research participation in a project developed with a supervising member of the faculty or staff.

Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance to UROP; prior or conc reg in UROP seminar.

Course Rules: One credit for 45 hrs research. Retakable to 9 cr max in any combination of UROP apprenticeship courses.

Last Taught: Summer 2018.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-12 cr. Undergraduate.

Designed to enroll students in UWM sponsored program before course work level, content, and credits are determined and/or in specially prepared program course work.

Prerequisites: jr st; acceptance for Study Abroad Prog.

Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-6 cr. Undergraduate.

Course created expressly for offering in a specified enrollment period. Requires only dept & assoc dean approval. In exceptional circumstances, can be offered in one add'l sem.

Prerequisites: jr st; add'l prereqs may be assigned to specific topic.

Course Rules: Retakable w/chg in topic.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Critical study of themes, figures, aspects, trends, etc., in American Indian Literature.

Prerequisites: junior standing; and completion of Oral and Written Communication Competency Part A (OWC-A) requirement or ENGLISH 102(P).

Course Rules: AIS 520 and ENGLISH 520 are jointly offered; with the same topic, they count as repeats of one another. Retakable with change of topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Fall 2020, Spring 2015, Fall 2014, Spring 2014.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate.

Research or applied project on area of student's interest under supervision of AIS faculty member. Formal field project paper required.

Prerequisites: jr st; declared AIS major.

Last Taught: Fall 2025, Fall 2018, Spring 2017.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Focus on major forms, prominent themes, or tribal traditions in the literature of the American Indian.

Prerequisites: senior standing; completion of Oral and Written Communication Competency Part A (OWC-A) requirement or ENGLISH 102(P); and 9 cr ENGLISH and/or COMPLIT at the 300-level or above; or graduate standing.

Course Rules: AIS 632 and ENGLISH 632 are jointly offered; with the same topic, they count as repeats of one another. May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.

Last Taught: Fall 2021, Spring 2021.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

3 cr. Undergraduate/Graduate.

Focus on major forms, prominent themes, or tribal traditions in the literature of the American Indian.

Prerequisites: senior standing; completion of Oral and Written Communication Competency Part A (OWC-A) requirement or ENGLISH 102(P); and 9 cr ENGLISH and/or COMPLIT at the 300-level or above; or graduate standing.

Course Rules: AIS 632 and ENGLISH 632 are jointly offered; with the same topic, they count as repeats of one another. May be retaken with change in topic to 6 cr max.

Last Taught: Fall 2021, Spring 2021.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/

1-6 cr. Undergraduate.

Advanced independent work under the supervision of an AIS Program instructional staff member.

Prerequisites: jr st; 2.0 GPA; consent of instructor, program coordinator, and Assistant Dean for Student Academic Services.

Course Rules: Retakable with change in topic to 9 cr max.

Last Taught: Spring 2022, Summer 2019, Spring 2019, Summer 2018.

Current Offerings: https://catalog.uwm.edu/course-search/