Indigenous Studies BA

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If you want to make a change in the world to help dismantle systemic racism, advance social and environmental justice and understand the impacts of colonization, start here.

Building on more than 50 years of tradition of Indigenous studies at UB, this interdisciplinary major examines some of the world’s most pressing questions: How can we protect our lands and waters for future generations? What are the most effective ways to build relationships among diverse populations? How does all of society benefit from Indigenous knowledge? Find out at UB, with SUNY’s first Indigenous Studies major.

Visit the Indigenous Studies academic program page for more information about the academic experience, who you will learn from, opportunities outside of class and what you can do with this degree.

Visit the Indigenous Studies department page for contact information, a brief overview of the department and the curricular options.

Admission Criteria

Current UB students seeking admission to the Indigenous Studies BA will be added to the major upon request by completing the Undergraduate Major/Minor Change Request Form.

Major Requirements

Indigenous Studies Core (3 courses, 9 credits)

IDS 101LEC - Introduction to Indigenous Studies Credits: 3
IDS 103LEC - Introduction to Haudenosaunee Languages and Culture Credits: 3
History Requirement:
IDS 231SEM - Early Indigenous History to 1871 Credits: 3 OR
IDS 232SEM - Indigenous History Since 1872 Credits: 3 OR
IDS 332SEM - Indigenous Perspective on US History Credits: 3

Major Elective Courses (9 courses, minimum 27 credits)

Complete at least 27 credits of major elective courses from the list below. A minimum of 24 must be at the 300/400-level, unless IDS 332 is taken as the History Requirement, in which case 21 credits of the major electives must be at the 300/400-level. It is recommended to initially select electives from the broader list, and with progression focus on Critical Indigenous Studies, Land-Based, or Language to allow for depth in one of these areas.

IDS 100SEM - Indigenous Learning Community: Indigenizing Student Success Credits: 1
IDS 104LEC - Introduction to Land-Based Learning Credits: 3
IDS 105SEM - Intro to Land Based Learning II Credits: 3
IDS 204LEC - Indigenous Environmental Justice Credits: 3
IDS 206SEM - Indigenous Women: History and Theory Credits: 3
IDS 207SEM - Indigenous Resistance and Resurgence Credits: 3
IDS 210LEC - Special Topics Credits: 3
IDS 270LEC - Indigenous Film Studies Credits: 3
IDS 272LEC - Indigenous Literature Credits: 3
IDS 301LEC - Introduction to Contemporary and Critical Indigenous Studies Credits: 3
IDS 302LEC - Indigenous Media Credits: 3
IDS 304SEM - Indigenous Climate Justice Credits: 3
IDS 306SEM - Indigenous Feminisms Credits: 3
IDS 310SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
IDS 312SEM - Haudenosaunee Peoples in Contemporary Times Credits: 3
IDS 314SEM - Indigenous Sustainability Credits:
IDS 324SEM - Introduction to Indigenous Science Credits: 3
IDS 326SEM - Fostering Ecosystem Relationships Credits:
IDS 330SEM - Afro-Indigeneity: Black Natives, Anti-Blackness, and Decolonization Credits: 3
IDS 340SEM - Public Health and Indigenous Wellbeing Credits: 3
IDS 344SEM - Indigenous Health and the Environment Credits: 3
IDS 350SEM - Indigenous Political Thought Credits: 3
IDS 352SEM - Indigenous Social Movements Credits:
IDS 354SEM - Indigenous & Black Carcerality and Abolition Credits: 3
IDS 360SEM - Indigenous Digital Humanities Credits:
IDS 362SEM - Indigenous Data Sovereignty Credits: 3
IDS 370SEM - Language, Artificial Intelligence, and Relationality Credits:
IDS 410SEM - Special Topics Credits: 3
IDS 420SEM - Indigenous Knowledge and Methods Credits: 3
IDS 430SEM - Indigenous in Academia: Intellectual Histories Credits: 3
IDS 432SEM - Topics in Indigenous History Credits: 3
IDS 434SEM - Indigenous Workers: Native Proletarians under Capitalism Credits: 3
IDS 436SEM - Not Recognized: Struggle for Indigenous Rights, Land, and Acknowledgement Credits: 3
IDS 440SEM - Methods and Theory in Indigenous Historical Research Credits: 3
IDS 450SEM - Decolonial Participatory Action Research Credits: 3
IDS 496TUT - Indigenous Studies Internship Credits: 1-6
IDS 498TUT - Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Credits: 3
MOH 101SEM - Introduction to Mohawk Language Credits: 3
MOH 301SEM - Intermediate Mohawk Language Credits: 3
SCN 101SEM - Introduction to Seneca Language Credits: 3
TUS 101SEM - Introduction to Tuscarora Language Credits: 3
TUS 301SEM - Intermediate Tuscarora Language Credits: 3

Total Credits Required for Major: 36

Additional Degree Requirements Include:

Additional coursework to fulfill UB Curriculum requirements
Elective courses as needed to complete the 120 credit hour total

Total Credits Required for Graduation: 120

Total Credit Hours Required represents the minimum credits needed to complete this program, and may vary based on a number of circumstances. This chart should not be used for financial aid purposes.

Curricular Plan

A Curricular Plan provides a roadmap for completing this academic program and the UB Curriculum on time. Your actual plan may vary depending on point of entry to the university, course placement and/or waivers based on standardized test scores, earned alternative credit and/or college transfer credit.

All students are encouraged to use this plan in conjunction with other academic planning resources such as your academic advisor, the HUB Academic Advisement Report , My Planner and Path Finder tool.

In addition to following this course roadmap, all other admission and academic requirements of this major as listed in the Undergraduate Catalog must be met in order to successfully complete this degree.

YEAR 1

Fall Semester

UB Seminar Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
IDS 101LEC - Introduction to Indigenous Studies Credits: 3 Credits: 3
IDS 103LEC - Introduction to Haudenosaunee Languages and Culture Credits: 3
ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4 OR Pathway Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15 or 16

Spring Semester

IDS Elective Credits: 3
IDS 231SEM - Early Indigenous History to 1871 Credits: 3 OR IDS 232SEM - Indigenous History Since 1872 Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
ENG 105LEC - Writing and Rhetoric Credits: 4 OR Pathway Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15 or 16

YEAR 2

Fall Semester

Elective Credits: 3
IDS Elective Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
IDS Elective Credits: 3
Scientific Literacy 1 Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester

IDS Elective Credits: 3
Math and Quantitative Reasoning Credits: 4
IDS Elective Credits: 3
Scientific Literacy 2 Credits: 3
Scientific Literacy Lab Credits: 1
IDS Elective Credits: 3
Total Credits: 17

YEAR 3

Fall Semester

IDS Elective Credits: 3
IDS Elective Credits: 3
Pathway Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Communication Literacy Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester

LAS Elective Credits: 3
LAS Elective Credits: 3
LAS Elective Credits: 3
LAS Elective Credits: 3
UBC 399MNT - UB Curriculum Capstone Credits: 1
Total Credits: 13

YEAR 4

Fall Semester

IDS Elective Credits: 3
LAS Elective Credits: 3
Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
Total Credits: 15

Spring Semester

Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
Upper Division Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Elective Credits: 3
Upper Division Elective Credits: 2
Total Credits: 14

TOTAL CREDITS REQUIRED: 120

Note: Some classes may count toward both a major and UB Curriculum requirement.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of all requirements, the student will have knowledge of:

The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: the history of contact and its relationship to current political organizing of Indigenous Nations.
The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Identify and evaluate appropriate approaches to tackling the social, cultural, and political issues faced by Indigenous communities at the local, national, and international level.
The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Use and evaluate Indigenous research methods to examine, analyze, and present on current and past issues.
The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Incorporate empirical evidence, theoretical social science, legal understanding of federal Indian law and key components of Indigenous representations into their written and oral arguments.
The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Synthesize information from multiple disciplines into their written work.
The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: Apply a multidisciplinary Indigenous-centered research and teaching that is responsive to and beneficial to Indigenous nations, communities, and organizations in local, national and global contexts
The student should be able to demonstrate knowledge of: the subject areas concentrated in the elective courses.

(HEGIS: 22.12 AMERICAN INDIAN CULTURAL STUDIES, CIP: 05.0202 American Indian/Native American Studies)