Aboriginal Studies Courses |
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First Year Seminars The 199Y1 and 199H1 seminars are designed to provide the opportunity to work closely with an instructor in a class of no more than twenty-four students. These interactive seminars are intended to stimulate the students’ curiosity and provide an opportunity to get to know a member of the professorial staff in a seminar environment during the first year of study. Details here. ABS201Y1 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. ABS205Y1 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. ABS210Y1 An introduction to the Ojibwa language, including the syllabic writing system. ABS220Y1 An introduction to one of the languages of the Iroquoian language family. ABS230H1 An introduction to one dialect of Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit, including aspects of other dialects and the syllabic writing system. ABS231H1 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. ABS240Y1 Introduction to methodologies and applications of Aboriginal and Western sciences, with an emphasis on environmental change, animal behaviour, evolution, sustainable practices, and implications of intrinsic ecological connections. Exploratory labs, often outdoors, develop literacy and skills in each paradigm as well as critical thought, creative reflection, and synthesis of knowledge. ABS250H1 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. ABS300Y1 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. ABS301Y1 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. ABS302H1 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. ABS303Y0 An overview of Aboriginal history and culture in Australia, including its precolonial past, land, society, and culture. Includes discussion of Aboriginal rights, health, and modes of creative expression. This course will be offered on-site in Australia as part of the Woodsworth College Summer Abroad program. ABS310Y1 Further study of the Ojibwa language with emphasis on speaking and writing. ABS320Y1 ABS321H1 An introduction to expressive aboriginal visual art from a regional Anishnaabe perspective, including beading, leather work, quillwork, birchbark baskets, with a concentration on technical, theoretical, historical, esthetic and cultural aspects and contemporary practice. JAG321H1 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) ABS323Y1 Further study of an Iroquoian language. ABS330Y1 ABS331H1 Contemporary and historical musical performance practices of Aboriginal people of North and South America. ABS341H1 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. ABS350Y1 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 ABS351Y1 An introduction to laws of Aboriginal societies, focusing on the Nishnabe, as seen through legends and teachings. ABS352H1 The history of the Indian Act from its creation to the present. ABS353H1 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. ABS354H1 A continuation of ABS353H1. ABS360Y1 This course uses relationship-building methodologies to develop skills and explore the concept and processes of reconciliation. Through class discussion, guest speakers, and comparative readings on Canadian and Indigenous colonial history, Indigenous organizing and solidarity movements, students will examine reconciliation and determine whether it is a different process than decolonization. ABS398H0 ABS399Y0 An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting. Details here. ABS402H1 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. ABS403H1 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. ABS404H1 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. ABS405Y1 An investigation of (Anishnaabe, Iroquoian, Athapaskan, Salish), examined through the study of research and writing of creative-nonfiction. JFP450H1 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) ABS460Y1 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. JPA461H1 This course explores the intersections of globalization and indigenous politics and introduces students to critical considerations of globalization from the perspective of indigenous peoples. It investigates the dominant economic paradigm as the historical outcome of colonization and examines political and economic alternatives and challenges that various indigenous struggles embody and embrace. Issues explored in the course include indigenous epistemologies, impacts of globalization on indigenous peoples, international indigenous organizing, democratization and political participation, human rights, indigenous economies, contested sovereignties and indigenous social movements. It examines indigenous communities as heterogeneous locations where not only impacts of globalization but forms of engagement and resistance take various forms. (Given by Department of Political Science and Aboriginal Studies Program.) ABS495Y1 ABS496H1 ABS497H1 ABS498Y1 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. |