School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies
(Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences)
Indigenous Studies (INDG) Courses
Introduction to Indigenous Studies
Survey of historical and contemporary issues relating to Indigenous peoples in Canada. Cultural traditions and the social interactions between Indigenous and non-Indigenous societies are approached from an interdisciplinary perspective.
Introduction to Indigenous Peoplehood Studies
This course begins by looking at Creation Stories of different Indigenous peoples and builds to discuss Indigenous worldviews, ways of living, ecological relationships, inter-Indigenous relations and diplomacy among Indigenous peoples. Course materials are rooted in self-situated and collective understandings of Indigenous peoples.
Introduction to Indigenous-Settler Encounters
An interdisciplinary examination of the history of relations between different Indigenous peoples and settler populations from first meetings to the mid-20th century. Topics vary by year, but may include diplomatic relations, trade, spirituality and religion, military alliances, policy, education.
Contemporary Indigenous Studies
Indigenous and non-Indigenous perspectives on issues since the 1960s. Topics include: contemporary explorations of treaty relationship and governance, cultural appropriation, identity politics, urban Aboriginality and contemporary social and cultural issues.
Prerequisite(s): second-year standing or permission of the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies.
Lectures/groups three hours a week.
Anishinaabe Studies
In-depth look at the Anishinaabe peoples. Topics may include: Anishinaabe creation stories, migration, the clan system, worldviews; oral, written, and recorded history; treaties, contemporary events, ecological knowing, cultural production, relations with settler-colonies and other nations, self-governance, diplomatic relations.
Lecture/groups three hours a week.
Haudenosaunee Studies
Focuses on the Haudenosaunee from the founding of the Confederacy to present. Discussion of the culture, language, and structure of Haudenosaunee society, the Kaienerekowa (Great Law of Peace) and the Code of Handsome Lake, symbolism, and contemporary issues, including the impact of Euro-Canadian government policies.
Lecture/groups, three hours a week.
Indigenous Ecological Ways of Knowing
Indigenous peoples’ relationships with the non-human world in both historical and contemporary contexts. Topics may include: the origins of Indigenous ecological ways of knowing, Indigenous languages, collective stewardship, water, land, and challenges to maintaining traditional knowledge.
Lecture/groups, three hours a week.
Decolonizing Gender, Sex, and Sexuality
Effects of colonization in unbalancing Indigenous peoples’ lives through the imposition of constructions of gender, sex, and sexuality, and the ways that Indigenous peoples are working to restore balance to their families and communities. Topics vary by year.
Lecture/groups, three hours a week.
Indigenous Drama
A study of dramatic literatures and theatre practice from Indigenous theatre makers, including playwrights, directors and other practitioners.
Prerequisite(s): second-year standing or permission of the School.
Lecture three hours per week
Indigenous Governance
An examination and discussion of different Indigenous forms of governance. Topics will vary by year and may include: Indigenous ways of knowing and forms of governance, community leadership, diplomatic relations, and struggles for self-determination.
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing or permission of the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies.
Seminar three hours per week.
Indigenous Rights, Resistance, and Resurgence
Indigenous approaches to restoring balance within their nations. Topics include: direct action; political organizing; land claims; rights, courts, and legal action; everyday acts of resistance and resurgence such as petitioning, social media, arts-based movements, and community initiatives.
Precludes additional credit for INDG 3010 (no longer offered).
Prerequisite(s): third-year standing or permission of the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies.
Seminar three hours per week.
Indigenous Ecological Ways of Knowing and the Academy
The relationship between Indigenous traditional ecological knowledges and the academy. Topics include: linguistic barriers, tensions in diffuse ways of knowing, research ethics with respect to Indigenous traditional knowledge, and working with knowledge holders.
Seminar three hours per week.
Selected Topics in Indigenous Studies
Topics vary from year to year.
Seminar three hours per week.
Indigeneity in the City
This course begins with an examination of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and the construction of cities and urban space. Culminates in the undertaking of research projects that directly link students to the urban Indigenous community in Ottawa.
Prerequisite(s): Fourth-year standing or permission of the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies.
Seminar three hours per week.
Indigenous Representations
Through an examination of instances of Indigenous misrepresentation, students will explore how Indigenous peoples have used cultural production in various forms (such as literature, film, television, visual arts, music, performance) to put forth their own visions of their peoples, worldviews, and lives.
Seminar three hours a week.
Land as a Relation
This is an intensive 14-day field course that brings students together with knowledge holders on the land. The connections between Indigenous ways of knowing, the land, Indigenous languages, and the land’s non-human inhabitants, will be explored. Locations and course fee varies by year.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing or permission of the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies.
Fourteen-day field course.
Practicum
Students will learn to apply their knowledge of topics in Indigenous Studies with a local organization whose mandate involves working with and/or for Indigenous peoples. To be arranged in consultation with the Program Coordinator.
Prerequisite(s): fourth-year standing or permission of the School of Indigenous and Canadian Studies.
Selected Topics in Indigenous Studies
Topics vary from year to year.
Seminar three hours per week.
Directed Studies I
An optional course normally restricted to fourth-year Honours students in Canadian Studies or Indigenous Studies and to Qualifying-year Graduate students. Includes supervised reading and written work in an Indigenous Studies area.
Note: Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca