Simon Fraser University
Engaging the World

Course Outlines

Spring 2026 - INDG 101 OL01

Introduction to Indigenous Studies (3)

Class Number: 2697

Delivery Method: Online

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Online

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 surveys pre-contact, historic and current events relating to the First Peoples of Turtle Island and the impacts that contact/colonization had/have on First Peoples’ survivance and futurity. Students will consider Indigenous perspectives of family, languages and connections to the land, the oral traditions, community identities, resilience, revitalization, along with their own roles and responsibilities in reconciliation. Students will deliberate on the impacts of laws and policy making on First Peoples’ lives and the actions that Indigenous Peoples continue to take to counter these detrimental forces toward ensuring their Nations’ and Territories' futurities. Indigenous practices that center on the building of respectful relationships will be utilized throughout the semester towards providing an environment that is conducive to taking up, in meaningful ways, the work that needs to be done by all before reconciliation can begin.

*Course syllabus and outline follow the INDG 101 OL course designed by Kicya7, Dr. Joyce Schneider, and FNST 101 course designed by Drs. annie ross and Marianne Ignace.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

  • Identify various causes and consequences of colonial systems as they are experienced by Indigenous communities and individuals
  • Recognize how Indigenous peoples are resilient and working towards new pathways for self-determination
  • Identify social concerns facing Indigenous communities
  • Demonstrate an ability to present and discuss ideas clearly and articulately through effective oral and written communications
  • Engage with holistic approaches to comprehend and mobilize one TRC Call to Action

Grading

  • Small Group Code of Conduct 10%
  • Thoughtful Thursdays (1x5%) 5%
  • Discussion Board Entries (5x3%) 15%
  • Bi-weekly Quizzes (5x10%) 50%
  • Term Paper 20%

REQUIREMENTS:

Because this is a remotely-delivered online course, a computer or laptop and a stable internet service across the entire semester is required. Quizzes as well as individual/small group participation assignments occur asynchronously online, with set deadlines in place for all.

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

All lecture slides, assigned readings, and videos are posted and accessible in the INDG 101OL Canvas page.

REQUIRED READING:

Readings will be provided by the instructor and are available via SFU Canvas. 



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.