American Indian Studies - Major #7681

Certificate Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


Fresno City College is located in an area that is rich in the history and contemporary cultures of American Indians. California has the highest American-Indian population in the United States, and has several Indigenous communities in our immediate area. The Certificate in American Indian Studies exists to serve Indian and non-Indian students who will be working for local tribes communities, tribal organizations, in any service field, academic or social institution servicing American Indians. To earn the certificate the student must complete 12 units of required basic core courses.

Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Identify and describe cultural differences and similarities among the American Indian and Alaskan Native societies of North America.
  2. 2. Describe and analyze the material, political, spiritual, and environmental contributions made by American Indian societies to the world.
  3. 3. Identify the inappropriate uses of racial stereotypes about Indians and analyze how they have been used to advance special interests.
  4. 4. Identify the major issues of the 20th and 21st century for American Indians, with an example on current events.
Effective Term: 2023 Spring Semester

Certificate Requirements 

12 units

AMIND 31
American Indian Culture

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
The Native nations of North American (American Indians) from antiquity to the present. An interdisciplinary approach to examining pre- and post settler-colonial American Indian societies and cultures. Studying the effects of invasion and colonization with an emphasis on self-preservation and maintaining tribal sovereignty. This course analyzes the racialization of American Indians, Eurocentrism, relationship to place, forced assimilation, intergenerational trauma, Indigenous cosmology and ceremony, social justice, and self-determination. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
    1. CSU Transfer

      AMIND 32
      American Indian History

      3 units
      Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
      The history of the American Indian nations from antiquity to the mid-20th century, with an emphasis on pre-Columbian life, the European invading nations, settler-colonial policy, and federal-Indian relations in the United States. (A, CSU, UC)
      Course Details:
      1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
        1. CSU Transfer

          AMIND 34
          The American Indian in Contemporary Society

          3 units
          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
          American Indian in North America after the Second World War to the present; emphasis on current events and legislation; issues involving the inherent sovereignty of American Indian nations, civil rights, cultural preservation, and place in modern global society. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
          Course Details:
          1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
            1. CSU Transfer

              AMIND 35
              American Indian Art

              3 units
              Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
              An interdisciplinary approach examining American Indian cultures and art traditions of North America. Introducing pre-contact and early-contact-era traditions, spiritual practices, and the evolution of American Indian art forms in contemporary times. Exploring the concepts, designs, and techniques of Indigenous art of the Americas. Emphasis on North American Indian tribes and the impact of settler-colonial policy on the traditional Indigenous relationship to place. The art studied will begin from ancient Indigenous civilizations to contemporary art movements. This course also examines socio-political critiques expressed in post-modern Native American art that are responding to topics concerning Social Justice, Eurocentrism, Cultural Appropriation, and Primitivism. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
              Course Details:
              1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
                1. CSU Transfer
                  Total: 12 units