Curriculum

Language Revitalization Certificate

The interdisciplinary Language Revitalization certificate allows students to explore the elements of Indigenous language revitalization program design. The certificate includes classes in Native American and Indigenous Studies, Borders and Languages, and Sociology. Students also participate in a semester-long internship in a language revitalization program of their choice while working closely with a Fort Lewis College instructor to design a language revitalization program of their own.

Certificate Requirements (18 credits total)

Take all three of the following Teaching Indigenous Languages courses (3 credits total):

  • BL 110 (1 Credit, online): Identity and Language Revitalization

  • BL 111 (1 Credit, online): Technology and Language Revitalization

  • BL 112 (1 Credit, online): Creative Design Practice and Language Revitalization

Take any one of the following elective courses (3 credits total):

  • NAIS 225 (3 Credits): Native American Languages

  • NAIS 125 (3 Credits): Foundations of Diné Language

Take all three of the following practice-oriented courses (12 credits total):

  • NAIS 493 (3 Credits): Internship in Native American and Indigenous Studies

  • BL 351 (6 Credits): Internship in Borders and Languages

  • SOC 315 (3 Credits): Field Methods

Teaching Indigenous Language Courses

Indigenous people around the world are working tirelessly to preserve and teach Indigenous languages threatened with erasure. As part of this effort, the All Our Kin Collective is offering three one-credit online courses designed to support Indigenous language teachers, whether they teach in schools, online, in community spaces, or even in living rooms.

The Teaching Indigenous Languages courses can be taken independently of the Language Revitalization Certificate, and are open to anyone engaged in the challenging and critical work of revitalizing and reclaiming Indigenous languages.

  • Teaching Indigenous Languages: Identity and Language Revitalization (BL 110) - This one-credit online course offers pedagogical methods to help Indigenous language teachers with language revitalization instruction in their communities. Language learning is a powerful way to connect with one’s own Indigenous identity. This course explores how to fold exploration of Indigenous identity into language instruction.

  • Teaching Indigenous Languages: Technology and Language Revitalization (BL 111) - This one-credit online course offers pedagogical methods to help Indigenous language teachers with language revitalization in their communities. Course content focuses on the use technology in Indigenous language instruction.

  • Teaching Indigenous Languages: Creative Design Practice and Language Revitalization (BL 112) - This one-credit online course offers pedagogical methods to help Indigenous language teachers with language revitalization in their communities. This course explores the use of creative practices—like positive affirmations, song, dance, and stories—in Indigenous language instruction.