Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2021 - INDG 222 D100

Selected Topics in Indigenous Studies (3)

Intro to Indigenous Digital Media

Class Number: 4583

Delivery Method: Remote

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

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

  • Prerequisites:

    Vary according to topic. Consult course outline on prerequisite(s) of each topic offering.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Topics will vary from term to term depending on faculty availability and student interest where the body of work may not otherwise be covered in-depth in regular courses.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course will introduce students to the emerging fields of new media and the digital humanities from an Indigenous Studies perspective. Throughout the course, students will develop an understanding of the tools and approaches associated with the digital humanities, and how these can be used to innovate new ways of sharing, representing, and accessing Indigenous content and knowledges. Students will also acquire an understanding of the importance of respectful and ethical approaches to Indigenous digital media, through course topics including Indigenous data sovereignty, Traditional Knowledge (TK) labelling, and digital repatriation (among others). By working with digital humanities tools including Voyant (for textual analysis) and ArcGIS story-maps (for considering connections between story and place), we will explore the possibilities of these tools and others within the context of Indigenous literatures and culture. This course will include a combination of Indigenous methods/theory, digital case studies, and hands-on digital humanities/new media training.

As a remote learning offering (synchronous/asynchronous blend), students will download the weekly lectures posted on Canvas, and will also be required to participate in a weekly tutorial/conversation via Zoom on Fridays between 2:30-3:30pm.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

Students of this course will be able to:

  • understand the differences between Digital Humanities and New Media
  • understand the importance of Indigenous sovereignty, and be able to identify expressions of such through digital projects, film, and other digital media
  • understand the role of Indigenous protocols as applied to digital media
  • understand examples of ongoing decolonization/reconciliation initiatives that relate to Indigenous digital media
  • create their own digital story-map using ArcGIS Online

Grading

  • Participation & Engagement 20%
  • Twitter Research 10%
  • Digital Humanities Tool Review 15%
  • Reading Responses (2 over semester) 20%
  • Digital Project & Reflection 35%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All course readings will be posted on Canvas.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Elements of Indigenous Style: A Guide for Writing by and about Indigenous Peoples. Brush Education, 2018.  [full-text available online via SFU Library]

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).