Native American Indian Studies

For more information:
Call the American Indian Studies Minor Director
at (575) 646-3822
Donald D. Pepion, Ed.D.
E-Mail Address: dpepion@nmsu.edu

Native American Studies (NAS) focuses on American Indian cultures and societies. NAS deals with contemporary and historical experiences of American Indians and examines the contribution of American Indians to life in the United States and other nations in the Americas.

Native American Studies has developed in reaction to more traditional, Western views of American Indians and to the frequently restrictive, disciplinary approach within universities to issues concerning American Indians.

Mission Statement
Native American Studies at New Mexico State University is an academic resource for information and understanding about American Indian peoples.

The mission of Native American Studies is:

• To provide an opportunity for all students to learn about Native American cultures and societies through an interdisciplinary program,

• To facilitate research and other creative activities that concern Native American peoples and that have potential benefit for them,

• To serve the University and State of New Mexico in ways that support and illuminate the rich heritage of American Indians.

The University
New Mexico State University, founded in 1888, is a Carnegie I research university. Approximately 16,000 students are enrolled in NMSU’s varied graduate and undergraduate programs of study. The university is located in the multi-cultural community of Las Cruces, in the Rio Grande Valley. The area boasts 350 sunny days a year and a colorful past in the old Western tradition.

New Mexico is home to more than 147,000 Indian citizens. The state also boasts the largest number of American Indian land-based nations. These two facts make NMSU an ideal host for an NAS program.

Requirements for the Minor
The minor in Native American Studies (NAS) is administered by the Department of Sociology and Anthropology in the College of Arts and Sciences, located in Breland Hall, Room 329. To obtain a minor in AIS, a student must complete a total of 18 credits, a least 9 of which must be upper division credits. There must be no more than 3 credits in Independent Studies, Readings, or Special Topics courses. (marked below with an asterisk).

Courses in Minor

I. Anthropology (no more than 9 credits)

II. History (no more than 6 credits)

III. English

IV. Other