Spring 2025 - INDG 201W D100

Indigenous Peoples' Perspectives on History (3)

Class Number: 3169

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 6 – Apr 9, 2025: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of fact and ideology in history and historic events involving contact between Indigenous and European peoples. The course will also address questions of research methodologies in studying Indigenous/European relations, such as the evaluation of oral history and written ethnohistoric sources. An additional focus will be on gender as it influences perspectives. Students with credit for FNST 201W may not take this course for further credit. Writing/Breadth-Social Sci.

COURSE DETAILS:

Using various strategies and techniques such as personal reflection, dialogues or small group discussions, we will examine the historical relationship between Indigenous People and Europeans/newcomers, centring our discussions around concepts of colonization and settler colonialism, while also exploring Canadian Indigenous Peoples’ contemporary responses to historical representations.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Develop and value the perspectives that come with one’s position.
  • Develop the skills of close reading to assess a wide variety of sources and genres from autobiography, fiction—including graphic novels, documentary film, journalism, and academic writing.
  • Develop research skills to add context to readings, to assess how effectively a source includes or values Indigenous perspectives.
  • Write analysis effectively and persuasively.
  • Assess how historical writing, while presented as objective and scientific, has also been driven by political motivations and culturally and socially based assumptions.
  • Critically understand the concept of historiography and how historians present and analyze information about events and processes of the past, in particular as it is relevant for understanding the writing of Indigenous peoples' history.
  • Appreciate the culture-specific ways in which Indigenous Elders talk(ed) about their pasts and tell their histories and stories.
  • Understand and critically assess current concerns of Indigenous peoples in Canada about having their own representations of their pasts validated by the Canadian political and legal system.

Grading

  • Participation 20%
  • Short Writing Assignments (x 3) 30%
  • Research Assignment 30%
  • Knowledge Check-In 20%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

Students should come to class prepared to actively participate.  This includes bringing writing materials (pens, pencils) and note paper.  The use of technology (cell phones, tablets, laptops) for all in-class work will be limited as it will interfere with learning objectives outlined for this course.

REQUIRED READING:

All required readings will be available on Canvas, distributed in class, or available by link.

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.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website 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

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.