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Department of Linguistics | Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Simon Fraser University Calendar | Fall 2024

Indigenous Languages Minor

This program is for students who wish to specialize in a particular heritage Indigenous language. 

Advanced placement through course challenge to a maximum of 12 units is possible for fluent speakers. Equivalent credit for a set of beginning INLG language courses for transfer credit may be considered. Credit may be applied to a specific language and is achieved by examination from an instructor in that language with the approval of the department.

Advising for this certificate is provided by the Indigenous Languages Program (INLP). Students should plan their program in consultation with the INLP Advisor (inlp@sfu.ca).

Admission Requirements

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00.

Completion of INLG 133, 134 and one INLG or LING elective course prior to declaring the Minor Program is recommended.

Students who have successfully completed three or more INLG/LING courses should contact the INLP Department Advisor (inlp@sfu.ca) to review eligibility and program completion timeline.

Program Requirements

Lower Division Requirements

Students complete a total of 15 units, including

INLG 133 - Introduction to Indigenous Language I (3) *

Introduces the structure of an Indigenous language, including phonetics, vocabulary, word formation, and grammatical constructions. Based on a designated language and usually chosen from the Northwest coast area. Students may retake this course for credit with focus on a different Indigenous language. Students who have credit for FNLG 231 may not take this course for further credit for the same designated language.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
A100 TBD
A120 TBD
A200 TBD
A310 TBD
A320 Donna Gerdts
TBD
A330 TBD
A600 TBD
A770 TBD
A900 TBD
A970 TBD
INLG 134 - Introduction to INLG II (3) *

A continuation of the introductory course in an Indigenous language, including phonetics, vocabulary, word formation, and grammatical constructions. Based on a designated language and will usually be chosen from the Northwest Coast area. Students may take this course for credit with focus on a different Indigenous language. Prerequisite: INLG (or FNLG) 133. Students who have completed FNLG 134 or FNLG 232 or LING 232 may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
A100 TBD
A120 TBD
A300 TBD
A320 Donna Gerdts
TBD
A600 TBD
A770 TBD
A900 TBD
A970 TBD

and nine additional units in lower division INLG or LING courses. The following foundation courses are recommended:

INLG 130 - Practical Phonetics for Indigenous Languages (3)

Practical training in the description of sounds used in language. Prerequisite: Students in the Indigenous Studies program should complete INLG 133 before INLG 130. Students with credit for FNLG 130 or LING 130 may not take this course for further credit.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
A100 TBD
A300 TBD
A310 TBD
A320 Sally Hart
TBD
A330 Marianne Ignace
TBD
A390 TBD
A600 TBD
A770 TBD
A900 TBD
A970 Janet Leonard
TBD
INLG 200 - Introduction to Grammar in an Indigenous Language (3)

A practical overview of the grammar of an Indigenous language based on linguistic principles for those desiring basic knowledge of language structure, grammatical categories and grammatical analysis. This course is particularly suited for students interested in learning and teaching an Indigenous language. Students with credit for FNLG 200 may not take this course for further credit.

LING 220 - Introduction to Linguistics (3)

Explores how language works. Introduces students to the systematic nature of language by exploring the patterns of sounds, words, sentences and meanings in English and other languages. Develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills through hands-on training in pattern recognition and language data analysis. Open to all students. Breadth-Social Sciences.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
A010 TBD
D100 Ivelina Koleva Tchizmarova
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Oct 15, 2024: Tue, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby
D101 Ivelina Koleva Tchizmarova
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 11:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D102 Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D103 Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D104 Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby
D106 Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Thu, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
Burnaby
LING 282W - Writing for Linguistics (3)

Develops skills in language analysis by focusing on reading and writing of linguistic argumentation. Explores the foundations of such argumentation in the core areas of linguistics. Students read and discuss primary literature in linguistics in order to understand how to formulate hypotheses and evaluate them. They also learn how to use writing to construct their own solutions to challenging linguistic problems. Prerequisite: LING 220. Writing/Quantitative.

Section Instructor Day/Time Location
A320 Janet Leonard
TBD
D100 Ivelina Koleva Tchizmarova
Sep 4 – Dec 3, 2024: Mon, Wed, 3:30–4:50 p.m.
Oct 15, 2024: Tue, 3:30–4:50 p.m.
Burnaby
Burnaby

* preferably in the same language

Upper Division Requirements

Students complete a total of 15 units of upper division courses in INLG and/or LING whose content focuses on an Indigenous Language.^ (See Academic Calendar list of INLG and LING courses.*)

^Students will be advised to take certain 200-level courses that serve as prerequisites for the 300-level courses. Students are required to meet the prerequisites.

*INLG 300, 333, 334, 358, 458, 433, and 434 focus on a single language

*LING 431 and 432 preferably in the same language

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Degree Requirements

For all bachelor of arts (BA) programs, students complete 120 units, which includes

  • at least 60 units that must be completed at Simon Fraser University
  • at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at Simon Fraser University
  • at least 60 units (including 21 upper division units) in Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences courses
  • satisfaction of the writing, quantitative, and breadth requirements
  • an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) and upper division overall CGPA of at least 2.0, and program CGPA and upper division program CGPA of at least 2.0 on the course work used to satisfy the minimum program requirements. FASS departments may define additional GPA requirements for their respective programs.

For students in other faculties, please check your faculty's overall degree requirements: https://www.sfu.ca/students/calendar/faculties-research.html