American Indian Studies
Certificate of Achievement American Indian Studies · Palomar College · 2026-2027 Catalog
The Certificate in American Indian Studies provides cultural knowledge and insight recognized by prospective employers such as state, federal, and tribal government agencies. Earning an AIS Certificate affords increased employment opportunities in such fields as archaeology, art, museums, education, social services, and resource management.
Learning Outcome(s):
- Describe the existence and impact of American Indian/Alaskan Native cultural arts on contemporary and global societies.
- Critically examine the cultural, historical and political diversity of American Indian/Alaskan Natives who have sustained their diverse cultural/geographic landscapes in the face of Western development.
- Explain and analyze the social, political, and legal developments that have shaped American Indian/Alaskan Native government(s) and legal status, with the overarching goal toward sovereignty in United States and will be able to differentiate federal, state, and tribal levels in American Indian/Alaskan Native affairs.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Program Requirements | 15 | |
| AIS 100 | Introduction to American Indian Studies | 3 |
| Choose One Course | 3 | |
| AIS 101 | History of American Indian Nations from Creation through the Present | 3 |
| orAIS 102 | The American Indian and the U.S. Political System | 3 |
| AIS 105 | History of Native American Arts | 3 |
| AIS 125 | American Indians Today | 3 |
| AIS 165 | Native Women in the Americas | 3 |
| Electives - Select One Course from the following or any course not taken from the Program Requirement Category | 3 | |
| AIS 104 | The Music of Native America | 3 |
| AIS 110 | History of the Plains Indian | 3 |
| AIS 115 | A History of Southwest Indians | 3 |
| AIS 130 | Prehistoric Cultures of North America | 3 |
| AIS 135 | California Indian Arts | 3 |
| AIS 140 | The Original Californians | 3 |
| AIS 145 | American Indian Literature | 3 |
| AIS 150 | American Indian Philosophy and Religion | 3 |
| AIS 107A | Elementary Luiseno IA | 3 |
| AIS 166A | Elementary Cahuilla IA | 3 |
| AIS 180A | Uto-Aztecan Languages of San Diego County IA | 3 |
| Total | 18 | |