Course Descriptions - Native American Studies

Native American Studies
(NAS)
Faculty of Arts and Science

Native American Studies 1000

Introduction to Native American Studies
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Native culture and heritage from traditional through contemporary times. A general survey of disciplinary areas such as art, politics, language, history.

Native American Studies 2000

Native American Philosophy
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of the underlying philosophies, perceptions of reality and world-views of Native Americans.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2100

Aboriginal Peoples and Law
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Historical and comparative exploration of the role of law in managing relationships between indigenous peoples and immigrants, including an introduction to basic concepts and theories in human rights, Western jurisprudence and the study of colonial and post-colonial societies, focusing on Canadian Native peoples, their Aboriginal rights, treaties and the operation of the Indian Act.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2150

Native Rights in the United States
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of the legal relationships between the Native peoples and the United States government; Aboriginal rights, treaties, Indian Reorganization Act and certain rights such as hunting, fishing, trapping and taxation.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2230

Family and First Nations’ Community Development
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
This course emphasizes the historical dimensions of community development. It explores, as well, regional and cultural variations on the role of families, clans and institutions in the elaboration of Aboriginal self-government.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2300

North American Indian Art History and Theory
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of the political, cultural and historical arguments for North American Indian art. Theoretical and historical topics of discussion will be of primary concern.

Native American Studies 2350

North American Indian Art Studio
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
2-4-0
North American Indian art forms, design, philosophy, techniques, aesthetics and theory.
Recommended Background:
One of Native American Studies 1000, Native American Studies 2300, or Art History/Museum Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2400

Traditional Aboriginal Political Economy
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Drawing on Aboriginal philosophy and analytical methods from geography, economic anthropology and sociology, an exploration of interrelationships between technology, ecology, culture and the distribution of goods, status and power in Aboriginal societies, in North America and elsewhere, and the changes brought about by their historical integration into market economies.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2500

Canadian Indian History
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of the history of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada from the pre-colonial period to the present.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2550

U.S. Indian History
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of the history of Indians in the United States from the pre-colonial period to the present.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2600

Native American Literature
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of the North American Native in literature as developed by Native and non-Native writers.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2700

Native American Women
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of the traditional and contemporary role of women in Native American culture and society, including the impact of external policy decisions on these roles.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 2800

Native American Politics
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
The contemporary political situation of Indians in Canada from a Native perspective. Evolution and development of government-Native relations.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 3000

Native American Philosophy - Advanced
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Philosophical examination of Native American religious beliefs.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2000

Native American Studies 3100

Law and Aboriginal Development in Canada
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Systematic study of Canadian legislation, judicial decisions and legal principles relevant to self-government and development in Aboriginal communities and territories, focusing on skills in legal research, the interpretation of legal materials and use of legal argumentation in areas such as taxation, licensing, natural resource leasing and regulatory jurisdiction.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2100

Native American Studies 3250/Management 3500

Financial Management in Aboriginal Communities
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
For both private and public aboriginal organizations, financial evaluation of development projects and capital purchase; identification of sources of capital in the public and private sectors; making and using budgets; pension programs; financial planning; loan qualification criteria; and analysis of financial statements to ensure financial control.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 3280/Management 3580

Aboriginal Peoples and Natural Resources
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
This course explores the opportunities and constraints that aboriginal peoples encounter in their efforts to use water resources, fisheries, forestry resources, wildlife, land and non-renewable resources, and to gain management power over these resources.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000

Native American Studies 3300

Canadian Indian Art History and Theory
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of the political, cultural and historical arguments for Canadian Indian art. Theoretical and historical topics of discussion will be of primary concern.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2300

Native American Studies 3350

North American Indian Art Studio - Advanced
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
2-4-0
Advanced techniques and design utilizing experimental art forms and philosophy as derived from the Native perspective.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2350

Native American Studies 3400

Contemporary Aboriginal Political Economy
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Comparative examination of inter-relationships between land, forms of self-government, socio-economic development strategy and environmental sustainability for contemporary Aboriginal peoples in North America and other regions of the world, with an emphasis on implications for Aboriginal peoples’ policy and administration in Canada, and focus on learning relevant field research skills.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2400

Native American Studies 3500

History of Prairie Indian Treaties
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
An examination of historical accounts of treaty negotiations and consequences on the prairies, with special attention to treaty periods in Alberta.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2500

Native American Studies 3550

U.S. Indian Policy
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Major U.S. policy decisions regarding Indians and Indian land from the Act of 1830 to the present.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2550

Native American Studies 3590/Management 3590

Current Practices in Aboriginal Governments
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
This course focuses on contemporary aboriginal governments, their relationship with their constituencies and the political value systems within which they operate. A series of case studies will be used to consider the political and fiscal environmental constraints on aboriginal policy-making and political practices.

Native American Studies 3600

Native American Literature - Advanced
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Native American cosmology and thought as seen in Native literature from oral literature to contemporary literature.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 1000
Recommended Background:
Native American Studies 2000

Native American Studies 3700

Native American Health
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Health conditions of Native Americans and a survey of related health services and agencies, especially in Canada.
Prerequisite(s):
One of Native American Studies 2100 or Native American Studies 2800

Native American Studies 3850

Selected Topics in Native American Studies
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Selected topics to be offered depending on student interest and available faculty.
Prerequisite(s):
Will be specified (including any recommended background) for individual offerings

Native American Studies 4120/Management 4507

Historical and Legal Aspects of First Nations’ Governments
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Historical and legal exploration of First Nations’ Governments, including pre-European contact, traditional forms of governments to present forms of First Nations’ Governments under Canadian Law. Examination of sources of legal authority, legal status, and powers of First Nations’ Governments, including sovereignty and case law.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2100

Native American Studies 4150/Management 4508

Administrative Aspects of First Nations’ Governments
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Survey of infrastructures and organization of First Nations’ Governments and their administration of education, housing, public works, policing, social services, natural resources, health, and other programs.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2100

Native American Studies 4206/Management 4506

Aboriginal Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Canada
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Aboriginal communities have an increasing interest in small business and entrepreneurship. This course provides the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary to set and manage a small aboriginally-owned and operated business, both inside and outside of aboriginal communities. Various technical and policy issues will be covered, and special attention will be paid to tribally-owned aboriginal small business.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 3250/Management 3500
Recommended Background:

Management 2100

Native American Studies 4400

Indians and the Criminal Justice System
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Criminal justice, the penal system and Native Americans.
Prerequisite(s):
One of Native American Studies 2100 or Native American Studies 2500

Native American Studies 4700

The Métis
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
History, socio-cultural aspects and contemporary issues of the Métis.
Prerequisite(s):
Native American Studies 2500 AND
Third-year standing (a minimum of 60.0 credit hours)

Native American Studies 4850

Selected Topics
Credit hours: 3.0
Contact hours per week:
3-0-0
Selected topics to be offered depending on student interest and available faculty.
Prerequisite(s):
Will be specified (including any recommended background) for individual offerings

Native American Studies 4995

Undergraduate Thesis
Credit hours: 6.0
Contact hours per week:
Variable
This is a research and/or fieldwork oriented course in which students will conduct research, submit a report in the form of an undergraduate thesis which will be made publicly available, and report orally on the project. In consultation with their Thesis Supervisor, students will define a research and/or fieldwork project and formulate a research plan.
Prerequisite(s):
Fourth-year standing (a minimum of 90.0 credit hours) AND
A cumulative GPA of 3.30 or higher
Note:
Contact hours will vary. Students should be aware that this course involves regular contact with the Thesis Supervisor as well as considerable independent work.
See Part 7 - Arts and Science, Sections 5.c. (p. 103), 6.c. (p. 105), and 7.c. (p. 106).