2022-2023

Navajo, Minor

Department of Global Languages and Cultures

College of Arts and Letters

Students in this minor gain or demonstrate proficiencies in the Navajo language, environment, institutions, and/or histories.

  • A minor is earned in conjunction with a bachelor's degree.

    To receive a minor (18 - 24 units) at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject matter areas with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At least 12 units of the minor must be unique to that minor and not applied to any other minor.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

No more than fifty percent of the units used to satisfy minor requirements may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 20
Major GPA C
Foreign Language Required

Purpose Statement

Students who satisfy the requirements of the Navajo minor are expected to have the ability to read and write Navajo texts at the intermediate level, interact effectively in the spoken language, and be knowledgeable with Navajo culture and traditions. Students are also expected to locate the Navajo Reservation on a map and be familiar with the regional dialects spoken on the Navajo Reservation. Students who complete the Navajo minor are able to write papers in Navajo, perform conversational tasks that allow them to function effectively and efficiently in daily life, and are able to communicate with native and non-native speakers of Navajo. In addition, students who complete the Navajo minor should possess the necessary foundational base to advance their proficiency in the Navajo language, thus gaining vital intercultural understanding and the ability to better compete in the international job market.

Student Learning Outcomes
Student Learning Outcomes are Aligned with Standards for Language Learning created by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages.

Upon completing this minor, students will be able to:

  • Orally express ideas in Navajo through meaningful discussion of concrete topics relating to work, school, home, and leisure activities using all major time frames (present, past, and future). Students can interact with native speakers unaccustomed to dealing with non- natives, and handle complicated or unexpected communicative tasks. (Speaking skills)
  • When listening to others, be able to identify and use main ideas and details from the conversation, including description and narration in different time frames or aspects, about a variety of topics beyond immediacy of the situation, to communicate meaningfully with others. (Listening skills)
  • Identify and use main ideas and details from authentic, connected, longer, written texts involving description and narration in different formats about a variety of topics for communicative purposes. (Reading skills)
  • Create with language to express meanings in written form about familiar topics using the major time frames with some control of aspect. (Writing skills)

Minor Requirements
  • Take the following 20 units, with a Grade of "C" or better in each course:
    You must have at least 6 classroom units in Navajo; you may not satisfy all minor requirements with credits from CLEP exams.

    Additionally, you may only take lower-level NAV courses if you have not already taken advanced NAV coursework. For instance, after you've completed 200-level NAV courses, you cannot take NAV courses at the 100 level; after completing a 300-level courses you cannot take 100- or 200- level courses.

    Please note ALL papers for Navajo minor coursework must be written in Navajo.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.