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Aboriginal Studies Courses

Key to Course Descriptions.

For Distribution Requirement purposes, ABS courses are classified in different categories; check individual course descriptions.

| Course Winter Timetable |


ABS201Y1
Introduction to Aboriginal Studies       52L/26T

An introduction to Canadian Aboriginal studies and Aboriginal world views, including language, culture, history, politics, economics, sociology, and science. A focus on critical thinking, the introduction of new perspectives, and community context.
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS205Y1
Aboriginal Spirituality        52L

An exploration of spiritual practices and beliefs of Indigenous peoples with emphasis on Canada's First Nations. Spirituality through an historic lens, highlighting rituals such as Ghost Dances, Midewiwin Lodge, and Wabung, and contemporary spiritual practices, including evolving belief systems, ritual and spiritual practice in today's world, and the balance of spirituality and spiritual practice with modernity.
Recommended preparation: ABS201Y1
This is a Humanities course


ABS210Y1
Introduction to the Ojibwa Language        78L

An introduction to the Ojibwa language, including the syllabic writing system.
This is a Humanities course


ABS220Y1
Introduction to an Iroquoian Language        78L

An introduction to one of the languages of the Iroquoian language family.
This is a Humanities course


ABS230H1
Introduction to Inukitut        26L

An introduction to one dialect of Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit, including aspects of other dialects and the syllabic writing system.
This is a Humanities course


ABS231H1
Elementary Inuktitut        26L

This course builds on the introduction to Inuktitut from ABS230H1. Emphasis will be placed on developing grammatical complexity and vocabulary in students’ oral skills, as well as dialect and cultural awareness.
Prerequisite: ABS230H1
This is a Humanities course


ABS250H1
Indigenous Environmental Education        26S

An exploration of traditional environmental education and its relevance in contemporary Aboriginal society, with a focus on the process of environmental education as well as on theory and conceptual understanding.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1
This is a Social Science course


ABS300Y1
Worldviews, Indigenous Knowledges, and Oral Tradition        52L

A study of the languages and culture of Aboriginal peoples through exploration of oral histories, from creation stories until present times, including the role of oral history and methods for studying oral history through accounts told by elders.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS301Y1
Native Language and Culture        52L

Examination of the historical interplay of Aboriginal languages and cultures in Canada. Particular focus is on the language and culture of a First Nation in Ontario.

Exclusion: ABS200Y1
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS 302H1
Aboriginal Representation in the Mass Media and Society 26L

A survey of historical and contemporary representations of Aboriginal people in the mass media. Introduction to basic techniques for evaluating, analyzing, and understanding the construction of ‘Nativeness’ as it is communicated through film, television, and other media. Examination of racial stereotypes and the role of mass communication in perpetuating and challenging stereotypes, cultural appropriation, Aboriginal media production, impact of media portrayal of Aboriginal peoples.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS310Y1
Ojibwa Language II        78L

Further study of the Ojibwa language with emphasis on speaking and writing.
Prerequisite: ABS210Y1
This is a Humanities course


ABS320Y1/ABS321H1
Aboriginal Craft: Technical and Theoretical Aspects       52L, 26P/26L, 13P

An introduction to aboriginal crafts, including basketry, textile work, beading, leather work, with concentration on technical, theoretical, esthetic and cultural aspects.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1 or permission of the instructor
This is a Humanities course


JAG321H1
Aboriginal People & Environmental Issues in Canada       39L

This course explores Aboriginal views of environment and resource management from pre-European contact times through to the present from an Aboriginal perspective. Emphasis will be placed on the emerging role of Aboriginal people in environmental and resource management in Canada. Topics to be covered include: history of Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal relations, Aboriginal world view and philosophy, Aboriginal environmental ethics and principles, and current environmental issues confronting Aboriginal people. (Offered by Aboriginal Studies and the Geography Department)
Prerequisite: Two credits in Geography or Aboriginal Studies
This is a Social Science course


ABS323Y1
Intermediate Iroquoian Language        78L

Further study of an Iroquoian language.
Prerequisite: ABS220Y1
This is a Humanities course


ABS330Y1/331H1
Aboriginal Music: Technical and Theoretical Aspects       52L/26L

A critical survey of contemporary Native Canadian musical practices ranging from “traditional” musics to more recent popular musical expressions.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1
This is a Humanities course


ABS341H1
North American Indigenous Theatre        26L

An introduction to the evolution of Indigenous theatre in North America, examining traditional oratory, ceremony, community responsibility, and social construct and their impact on current Indigenous theatre.
Prerequisite: ABS300Y1/ABS301Y1/331H1/DRM100Y1
This is a Humanities course


ABS350Y1
Aboriginal Health Systems        52L

An overview of Aboriginal health systems, internationally, nationally, provincially and locally, with a focus on Ontario. Discussion of health models and strategies, policy, legislation, jurisdictional issues, Aboriginal health initiatives
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1 or UNI 200Y1
This is a Social Science course


ABS351Y1
Aboriginal Legends & Teaching (formerly ABS351H1)
       26L

An introduction to laws of Aboriginal societies, focusing on the Nishnabe, as seen through legends and teachings.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1

Exclusion: ABS351H1
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS352H1
The Indian Act        26L

The history of the Indian Act from its creation to the present.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS353H1
Aboriginal Perspectives in Canadian Politics and Law I
       26L

A study of the development of Aboriginal/Western relations from a legal and political standpoint and the evolution of Aboriginal issues and Native rights since contact. Aboriginal perspectives, customary law, restorative justice initiatives and self-government, effects of Canadian law on Indigenous beliefs and life ways, political and economic development potential.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1
Recommended preparation: a course in Canadian history or politics
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS354H1
Aboriginal Perspectives in Canadian Politics and Law 2       26L

A continuation of ABS353H1.
Prerequisite: ABS353H1
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS398H1/399Y1
Independent Experiential Study Project

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. See page 45 for details.


ABS402H1
Traditional Indigenous Ecological Knowledge      39L

An overview of the relationships between Indigenous peoples and their environments, including an exploration of cultural, historical, and contemporary aspects of Indigenous environmental philosophies; the nature, control and transmission of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and historical uses of TEK in managing the environment.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1 plus one additional ABS designator course
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS403H1
Aboriginal People in Urban Areas        26L

An examination of Aboriginal peoples’ experiences in urban centres, including an examination of increasing Aboriginal migration to Canadian and American cities, government policy affecting off-reserve Indians, and urban Indians’ concerns and goals.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1 plus two additional full-course equivalents in ABS
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS404H1
Politics of Aboriginal Nursing        26L

An examination of the impacts of policies and practices on the health of Aboriginal people in Canada which honours Native world view and traditions and values cultural safety. Includes historical and social determinants of health, historical events, policies and social realities and their consequences.
Prerequisite: Two full ABS courses plus permission of the instructor.
This is a Social Science course


ABS405Y1
Indigenous Thought & Expression: Creative Non-fiction       52S

An investigation of the social, political, economic and cultural dynamics of colonization with the goal of understanding the internal complexities and conflicts within the Aboriginal world and in relationship to Western civilization, examined through the study and writing of creative non-fiction.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1 plus one additional ABS designator course and permission of instructor
This is a Humanities course


JFP450H1
First Nations Issues in Health and Healing        28L

An examination of issues about the health of Aboriginal people in Canada, providing an understanding of present day health issues from the perspective of their historical and political context and effects of health care policy. (Offered by the Faculty of Pharmacy)
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS460Y1
Methodology in Aboriginal Studies        78L

Basic methods in research in Aboriginal Studies, including oral tradition and community-based research, as well as discussion of ethics, protocols, priorities, and comparative Indigenous methodologies.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1 plus two full course equivalent ABS courses or permission of the instructor.
This is a Social Science or Humanities course


ABS495Y1/496H1/497H1/498Y1
Independent Research        TBA

Supervised independent research on a topic agreed on by the student and the supervisor before enrolment in the course. Available only when someone is willing and able to supervise.
Prerequisite: ABS201Y1 plus one additional ABS designator full-course equivalent
This is a Social Science or Humanities course