Overview

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Involves a survey and examination of method, theory and related topics associated with contemporary Indigenous Studies research in applied contexts. Ethical conduct and protocols for working within First Nations communities are reviewed. Students with credit for FNST 301 may not take this course for further credit.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course examines the protocols, methods, and best practices in Indigenous Studies. Assignments throughout the course will help students develop their skills in conducting research through archival and library sources, examination of material culture, the inclusion of oral narratives in the research process, as well as preparing and presenting a professional style, formal research report.

Students will be introduced to some of the ways in which Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars are theorizing Indigenous Studies and how researchers can ground their work in the needs of Indigenous communities.  We will also examine the place of tradition and cultural protocols in our research methods.

Students will have the opportunity to work in pairs to conduct an oral history interview. We will focus on the process of this research method, from obtaining consent, drafting guiding questions, to conducting the interview. Students will then present the oral history back to their partners.

Indigenous Studies are inter- and trans-disciplinary and researchers are often required to work collaboratively within a range of disciplinary methods and perspectives. In small groups, students will prepare and present a professional style research report. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their own practise and the potential issues that can arise in achieving consensus on methods and stakeholder values.

Assigned readings and lectures will focus on ethical considerations, intellectual property rights, legislation (eg. The Indian Act, Heritage Conservation Act), community cultural resources, as well as examples of methods used in conducting  Indigenous research.

Assignments throughout the course are aimed at helping students improve their overall research skills including creating written works about Indigenous Peoples. Emphasis will be placed on applying Indigenous principles of style, recognizing biased language, terminology, and culturally appropriate attribution of knowledge.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Understand how Indigenous research methodologies differ from western academic approaches to research;
• Critically evaluate the development, role and political function of research and the researcher's position in relation to Indigenous Studies research;
• Understand the effect of law, policy, culture, race and power relationships on the research process;
• Evaluate the researcher's ethical and professional responsibility in research with Indigenous communities;
• Exhibit research skills sufficient to produce a research report that demonstrates effective use and interpretation of evidence, consultation and co-operation within a research team, and that is coherent, persuasive, and well-written.

Grading

Materials

REQUIRED READING:

RECOMMENDED READING: