The Mission

Native American Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is an area of research and scholarship that offers interdisciplinary courses which bridge academic and Native perspectives on the cultures and histories of Native individuals and communities in North America. The mission of Native American Studies is to increase understanding of the historical experiences, cultural traditions and innovations, and political status of the Indian peoples in the United States. Our courses explore Natïve American ways of living, understanding the world, and organizing their societies; they also examine the impact of invasion and colonization on Native America, and the intersection of Indian and European histories and systems of knowledge.

The courses in Native American Studies are open to all students at UNC. Students who wish formal recognition of their course work may choose from two options. One is to major in American Studies with a concentration in Native American Studies. The other is to attach a minor in Native American Studies to their major field. You will find details for selecting either of these options elsewhere in this website.