Native American and Indigenous Studies in the General Education Curriculum

FAIN: AA-289905-23

Saint Bonaventure University (St. Bonaventure, NY 14778-9800)
Oleg Viktorowitch Bychkov (Project Director: May 2022 to present)

A three-year curricular and faculty development project in conjunction with the Seneca Nation to incorporate the teaching of Native American and Indigenous Studies into general education classes required for all first-year students.

St. Bonaventure University (SBU) in southwest New York State proposes “Native American and Indigenous Studies in the General Education Curriculum,” an initiative that will enhance Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS), strengthen humanities teaching and learning on campus, and further develop a mutually beneficial relationship with the nearby Seneca Nation of Indians. The proposed project, which will reach all incoming students annually, will include (1) the creation of six modules for incorporation into all sections of two required, first-year, first-semester general education course co-requisites, (2) three faculty professional development workshops featuring external NAIS experts, and (3) recurring campus events featuring guest speakers and cultural heritage knowledge keepers. Oleg V. Bychkov, director of SBU’s NAIS program, will serve as project director. Justin Schapp, a member of the Seneca Nation and adjunct professor of NAIS at SBU, will support project implementation.