NASX 105D

Fall and Spring semesters: in-person

Summer semester: online

3 credits, undergraduate level-100, Diversity Credit

Fall and Spring Instructor: Dr. Meredith Hecker

Summer Instructor: Dr. Matthew Herman

Recitation Instructors: NAS Graduate Teaching Assistants 

Course Description

Introduction to Native American Studies presents a survey of the discipline that emphasizes American Indian outlooks on topics relevant to American Indian concerns - both past and present. Another core function of the course is to provide a basic training in NAS work. Through discipline-specific concepts, frameworks, and methods, students not only learn about Native American Studies, but they learn how to do Native American Studies research. Course meetings feature a mix of lecture, open discussion, guest speakers, small group work, student presentations, film screenings, podcasts, readings, pop quizzes, reviews, and exams.  

Readings for this course may include, but are not limited to:

*Resource and materials list subject to change. Check with the instructor before purchasing books!*

  • Fleming, Walter. (2002). The Complete Idiot's Guide to Native American History. 
  • Erdrich, Louise. (2012). The Round House. 

Instructors

MH

Dr. Meredith Hecker, a citizen of the Blackfeet Nation, is Associate Professor and Department Head of Native American Studies at Montana State University. She leads initiatives that advance Indigenous knowledge, student success, and community partnerships, including culturally grounded programming in American Indian Hall and international Indigenous knowledge exchange. Dr. Hecker earned her Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of Montana, integrating Astrobiology, Mathematics, and Education, and holds a B.S. in Mathematics with a minor in History from MSU. Her interdisciplinary background informs her commitment to culturally responsive teaching, research mentorship, and supporting Indigenous student pathways in higher education. Prior to joining MSU, she previously chaired the Mathematics Department at Blackfeet Community College in Browning, served as Assistant and Associate Professor of Mathematics and Education at the University of Providence, and later becoming Deputy Director and Co‑Director of the Montana Space Grant Consortium. A proud MSU alumna, she is dedicated to mentoring students in writing, research, and professional development through culturally responsive practice.
 
Dr. Matt Herman

Matthew Herman earned his Ph.D. in English and a certificate in cultural studies from SUNY Stony Brook. He came to MSU from Stone Child Tribal College on the Rocky Boys Reservation in northwest Montana, where he taught in the Liberal Arts Program, and coordinated the Rocky Boy Tribal History Project. He has published in the areas of contemporary Native American literature, American cultural studies, composition pedagogy, and Indigenous political theory.His first book, Politics and Aesthetics in Contemporary Native American Literature: Across Every Border, was published in 2009 by Routledge.

Recitation Instructors

BC Taylor Pajunen LW  

Benet Conlin, GTA

Taylor Pajunen, GTA

 

Lisa Lamkins Wright 

  

Tuition and Fees

If you are accepted into a qualified MSU program, see the appropriate MSU Tuition and Fee table below:

For more information, view MSU Fee Schedules. 

How to Register

You must be accepted as a student to Montana State University to take this course. Learn how to apply.

Students register for courses via MSU's online registration system, MyInfo. 

Registration requires a PIN number. Learn how to find your PIN.

Once you have your PIN, learn how to register through MyInfo.

 

For course information:

Please contact nas@montana.edu or Walter Fleming at wfleming@montana.edu or Matt Herman at mherman@montana.edu.