Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - INDG 429 D100

Indigenous Peoples and International Law (3)

Class Number: 4592

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 11 – Apr 16, 2021: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    INDG (or FNST) 101 or 201W, or CRIM 101, or permission of instructor.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of how relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples framed and were framed by the development of international law from the 15th century onward. Students with credit for FNST 429, CRIM 429, or under CRIM 416 or 418 under the title "Indigenous Peoples and International Law" or "Indigenous Peoples and Evolving International Relations" may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This primarily discussion-oriented seminar course will examine how relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples framed much of the development of international law from the 15th century onward, and how the nature of that relationship changed through ages of exploration, colonization, and rights recognition. The three main sections of the course are organized around the following themes: (1) the earliest relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples during “the age of exploration” in which the early European nation states set forth to explore and colonize the world; (2) the role that Indigenous peoples of North America, and especially the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, played in the development of international law; and (3) the 20th century  transition that has seen Indigenous Peoples transform themselves from being “objects” of law (i.e., entities about which law is made) to become participants in the development of international law.

            Students will play an active role in shaping the scope of our collective examination of those relationships; the term projects you engage in will provide individual stories as well as a collective global snapshot of Indigenous peoples and their historical and contemporary relationships with nation state governments.

            The course will be offered synchronously for what in most weeks will be two hours (with the third hour typically spent watching course-related videos that we would otherwise be watching together in class). The last month will see student and instructor presentations over Zoom, so students should have the technological capacity to do so.

Grading

  • Take-home midterm (10-page paper) 25%
  • Term Research Project on an Indigenous People - Oral presentation of project 20%
  • Term Research Project on an Indigenous People - Written report on project 30%
  • Preparation and Participation 25%

REQUIREMENTS:

CRIM 101 OR FNST 101 or 201 OR permission of instructor. Students who have taken this course under CRIM 416-3, or 418-3 under the title “Indigenous Peoples and International Law” or “Indigenous Peoples and Evolving International Relations”, may not take this course for further credit. Students may not take FNST 429 for further credit. It is recommended that students have taken at least one prior “overview” justice-related course involving Indigenous Peoples, such as CRIM 419 or FNST 419, before enrolling in this course.

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

All required readings for this course will be made available electronically through a course web page.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

TEACHING AT SFU IN SPRING 2021

Teaching at SFU in spring 2021 will be conducted primarily through remote methods. There will be in-person course components in a few exceptional cases where this is fundamental to the educational goals of the course. Such course components will be clearly identified at registration, as will course components that will be “live” (synchronous) vs. at your own pace (asynchronous). Enrollment acknowledges that remote study may entail different modes of learning, interaction with your instructor, and ways of getting feedback on your work than may be the case for in-person classes. To ensure you can access all course materials, we recommend you have access to a computer with a microphone and camera, and the internet. In some cases your instructor may use Zoom or other means requiring a camera and microphone to invigilate exams. If proctoring software will be used, this will be confirmed in the first week of class.

Students with hidden or visible disabilities who believe they may need class or exam accommodations, including in the current context of remote learning, are encouraged to register with the SFU Centre for Accessible Learning (caladmin@sfu.ca or 778-782-3112).