Native American Studies

Painting by George Longfish, 1978

The Native American Studies Department lives on the second floor of Hart Hall. The program was introduced in the late 1960s. It is part of the Ethnic Studies Majors here at UC Davis. The Department offers both an undergraduate major (A.B) and minor as well as a M.A program and a Ph.D program. UCD is one of only two schools in the country to offer a Ph.D. program in this field. Jack Forbes, a former professor, was instrumental in advancing Native American Studies as a formal educational path, not only in Davis but in terms of nationwide acceptance as well. If you choose to major in Native American Studies, the major splits into three different areas of specialization. There is the South America emphasis, the Mexico-Central American emphasis, as well as the North American emphasis. The minor does not split into areas of specialization. Both the major and the minor are under the College of Letters and Science if general questions arise.

The Native American Studies Department collaborates with departments on campus, such as the Cross Cultural Center, Student Recruitment and Retention Center, Native American Student Union, Student Programs & Activities Center as well as other organizations to hold the annual Pow Wow, Native American Culture Days, as well as the Native American Graduation in June. Stop by the second floor of Hart Hall and chat with any of the faculty or students if you would like to get involved!

Faculty

• Steven J. Crum, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department Chair
• Jack D. Forbes, Ph.D., Professor Emeritus
• Inés Hernández-Ávila, Ph.D., Professor
• George C. Longfish, M.F.A., Professor Emeritus
• Martha J. Macri, Ph.D., Professor, Graduate Advisor
• Zoila Mendoza, Ph.D., Associate Professor
• Victor D. Montejo, Ph.D., Professor
• David Risling, M.A., Senior Lecturer Emeritus
• Stefano Varese, Ph.D., Professor

Special projects

• Carl N. Gorman Museum
• Run by Dr. Spence, Native American Language Center, is a place to get involved with research under the Department
• IRCA: Indigenous Research Center of the Americas
• Glyphdwellers: an occasional publication of the Maya Hieroglyphic Database Project.

***For advising purposes, Dr. Liza Grandia and Dr. Justin Spence are the current Major Advisors. You can also drop by the advising office at 2406 Hart Hall and speak with the Peer Adviser, Kimberly Yu as well. Contact information and Office Hours are posted outside of 2406 Hart Hall.

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