Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Fall 2025 - INDG 101 D900

Introduction to Indigenous Studies (3)

Class Number: 3221

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 3 – Dec 2, 2025: Thu, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
    Surrey

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Introduces the nature and goals of Indigenous Studies as an academic discipline that emphasizes cultures and homelands of First Peoples. Students with credit for FNST 101 may not take this course for further credit. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course introduces the Indigenous Peoples within the boundaries of what we know today as Canada. Class lectures are structured around introducing each regions’ ancient past, recent history and contemporary issues. Themes covered include:   

  1. Indigenous logic and the diversity of thought and practice
  2. Ecological relationships
  3. Major historic and political events and relevance to modern concerns
  4. Legal precedents (judicial, federal, and provincial)
  5. Sovereignty and Self-determination
  6. Colonization
  7. Food security
  8. Spirituality
  9. Civil rights
  10. Social and environmental justice
  11. Aesthetic Expressions

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

An introduction to the nature and goals of Indigenous Studies as an academic discipline; survey of prehistory, traditional cultures and Aboriginal languages of Indigenous Peoples in what we today call Canada. The content includes an examination of historical and contemporary concerns, and pays special attention to concepts of Indigenous identity, oral histories, aesthetic expressions, and justice.

Specific educational goals include:

  • Increasing meaningful and thoughtful engagements with Indigenous history, culture, and languages
  • Recognizing that Indigenous knowledge can benefit all learners and have processes for two-way sharing
  • Developing strategies to improve Indigenous-settler relations in schools, organizations, and communities
  • Deepening understanding of Indigenous histories and current realities
  • Engaging with Indigenous worldviews and perspectives to contextualize and support understanding of Indigenous education

Grading

  • Small Group Code of Conduct (Week 4) 10%
  • Weekly Discussions (5 x 3%) 15%
  • Paper Proposal (Week 6) 5%
  • Research Paper (4 pages - Week 12) 30%
  • Quizzes (4x 10%) 40%

NOTES:

 

REQUIREMENTS:

In addition to completing assignments, attendance of all lectures is required.

Course Protocol: This course is made up of visual lectures with little text on lecture slides. Students are responsible to know and understand all lecture materials (it is highly recommended you take notes!), including visual images, topics from class discussions, and all terms from course readings as outlined in this syllabus and as supplied by the instructor. Please note, to accommodate the complexities inherent in life, this syllabus is subject to modification in order to meet student needs and interests. Students are responsible to remain informed at all times.  

MANDATORY:  You must access your SFU email and Canvas, NO EXCEPTIONS!!!

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

None

REQUIRED READING:

All readings will be available via SFU Library and SFU CANVAS.

RECOMMENDED READING:

None

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Department Undergraduate Notes:

NOTE re AI
Please note that submissions that employ generative AI tools in this course (for idea generation or other purposes) are not accepted by the Department. Your grade in this course is meant to reflect your personal engagement with course materials. If you are ever unsure about your instructor's stance on generative AI, please be sure to ask before submitting work using these tools: "If you are unsure, you must not assume that using generative AI is permitted." - SFU Academic Integrity
Those who employ these tools in their course submissions may face disciplinary action in accordance with SFU's academic integrity policies. https://www.sfu.ca/students/enrolment-services/academic-integrity/using-generative-ai.html

COPYRIGHT
Materials included in this course, unless otherwise stated, have been created by the Instructor, and reproducing or using this material outside of this course is not permitted unless written consent has been provided by the owner of this material. The course-based Canvas page and its related resources are maintained and developed by the Instructor for the use of the students registered to take this course. Course materials such as PowerPoint slides, lecture notes, the lecture itself and exams are all protected by copyright. Recording, copying or sharing these materials without permission may be a violation of Canadian copyright law and SFU policies. What does this mean? It means that you are legally not permitted to circulate the course materials to any other entity without explicit permission from the course author.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.

To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit: 


RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.