Note: This is the 2020–2021 eCalendar. Update the year in your browser's URL bar for the most recent version of this page, or .
Program Requirements
The Minor Concentration in Indigenous Studies provides students with a broad, interdisciplinary view of key issues in the historical, social and cultural dimensions of Indigenous life in Canada. Core courses offered within the program will provide interdisciplinary treatments of Indigenous life. The Program will focus on the history of indigenous populations in Canada, Aboriginal art and culture, the experience of indigeneity and gender, and legacies of Indigenous resistance to the Canadian state.
Required Courses (6 credits)
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INDG 200 Introduction to Indigenous Studies (3 credits)
Overview
INDG : The focus is on Indigenous experience in Canada, but encourages comparative approaches. Introduction to the social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of Indigenous life in Canada.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Allard-Tremblay, Yann (Fall)
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INDG 401 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Indigenous Studies (3 credits)
Overview
INDG : The focus is on Indigenous experience in Canada, but encourages comparative approaches.Capstone seminar course offering an in-depth focus on one or more issues in Indigenous Studies.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Reid, Christopher (Winter)
Complementary Courses (12 credits)
A maximum of 3 complementary course credits at the 200-level, and no more than 6 complementary credits in any one discipline.
Anthropology
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ANTH 338 Native Peoples of North America (3 credits)
Overview
Anthropology : Ethnographic survey of Native cultures in North America. Conditions arising from European colonization and their social, economic and political impact. Contemporary situation of indigenous peoples.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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ANTH 436 North American Native Peoples (3 credits)
Overview
Anthropology : A detailed examination of selected contemporary problems.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Canadian Studies
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CANS 306 Issues in Native Studies (3 credits)
Overview
Canadian Studies : Past and present achievements and concerns within Native societies across Canada.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Alderson, Aedan (Fall)
Restriction: Not open to students who have taken Issues in Native Studies as a CANS topics course.
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CANS 315 Indigenous Art and Culture (3 credits)
Overview
Canadian Studies : An examination of the work of selected First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists in Canada.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Bell, Gloria (Fall)
Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking ARTH 315 or have taken "Aboriginal Art and Culture" as a CANS or ARTH topics course.
English
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ENGL 297 Special Topics of Literary Study (3 credits)
Overview
English (Arts) : Special topics of literary study. Topic varies by year.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
For the most detailed and up-to-date descriptions of course and seminar offerings please see the Department of English website at .
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ENGL 440 First Nations and Inuit Literature and Media (3 credits)
Overview
English (Arts) : An introduction to Inuit and First Nations literature and media in Canada, including oral literature and the development of aboriginal television and film.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Stenbaek, Marianne A (Fall)
Geography
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GEOG 301 Geography of Nunavut (3 credits)
Overview
Geography : An introduction to the physical and cultural geography of Canada's newest territory. The course will emphasize the bio-physical heterogeneity of the natural environment and the cultural and political ecology of the human population.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Fall
3 hours
History
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HIST 202 Survey: Canada to 1867 (3 credits)
Overview
History : A survey of early Canada, from periods known mainly through archaeological records to the Confederation era. Social, cultural, economic and political themes will be examined.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Desbarats, Catherine (Fall)
Fall
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HIST 223 Indigenous Peoples and Empires (3 credits)
Overview
History : History of Indigenous Peoples of North and South America and their early experiences of European conquest and colonization, c. 1400 - 1800.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Greer, Allan (Fall)
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HIST 303 History of Quebec (3 credits)
Overview
History : Covering Quebec history from New France to contemporary times, this course will include themes like ethnic relations, citizenship, gender and material culture. It is of particular interest to students in Education who foresee teaching about Quebec.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Mathieu, Jean-Philip (Fall)
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HIST 309 History of Latin America to 1825 (3 credits)
Overview
History : The social, cultural, and economic aspects of Latin America and the Caribbean in the colonial period and the transition to independence.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
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HIST 333 Indigenous Peoples and French (3 credits)
Overview
History : Encounters between Indigenous Peoples and French newcomers in Canada and other parts of North America, 16th - 18th century. Through an examination of exploration, Catholic missions, trade, military alliances and colonization, the course focuses on the motives, outlooks and actions of both Indigenous Peoples and Europeans.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
- HIST 361 Topics in Canadian Regional History (3 credits)
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HIST 363 Canada 1870-1914 (3 credits)
Overview
History : This course will examine social, economic, political and cultural aspects of Canadian society between 1870 and 1914. Topics covered will include aboriginal peoples, European settlement of the West, provincial rights, the national policy, social reform movements, industrialization, immigration and the rise of cities.
Terms: Fall 2020
Instructors: Nerbas, Don (Fall)
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HIST 408 Colonialism and Native Peoples (3 credits)
Overview
History : The nature and consequences of encounters between American native peoples and Europeans.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite: HIST 202
Interdisciplinary Field Course
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IDFC 500 Indigenous Field Studies (3 credits)
Overview
IDFC : This 4-week intensive course (3 weeks McGill, 1 week Kahnawake, Mohawk Territory) provides an opportunity for Social Work, Law, Medicine and Anthropology students to learn about Haudenosaunee cultures and worldviews, with particular emphasis on linkages to students' practice areas. Attention given to effects of Canadian policies on contemporary Aboriginal society.
Terms: Summer 2021
Instructors: Ives, Nicole; Gabriel, Wanda; Anker, Kirsten (Summer)
Restrictions: The course is only open to students in Social Work, Anthropology, Law and Medicine or by permission of the instructor. Not open to students who have taken IDFC 380.
This intensive course is offered over 4 weeks. Weeks 1, 2 and 4 are held at McGill. Week 3 consists of living in Kahnawake for 6 days. This field portion of the course may involve rugged field conditions and varying weather for which students must be prepared and equipped.
A fee of $320 is charged to all students registered in IDFC 500 Aboriginal Field Course, a course that has a field experience in week 3 in Kahnawake. The fee covers food, activities, land use, and other site expenses.
**This course will be held on May 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 & 31.
Law
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CMPL 500 Aboriginal Peoples and the Law (3 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Current legal topics relating to native peoples, including the concept of aboriginal title, and constitutional aspects of contemporary land claims. Aspects of Canadian law relating to native peoples, their constitutional status, and hunting and fishing rights.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Sloan, Kerry (Winter)
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CMPL 500D1 Aboriginal Peoples and the Law (1.5 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : Current legal topics relating to native peoples, including the concept of aboriginal title, and constitutional aspects of contemporary land claims. Aspects of Canadian law relating to native peoples, their constitutional status, and hunting and fishing rights.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Students must register for both CMPL 500D1 and CMPL 500D2.
No credit will be given for this course unless both CMPL 500D1 and CMPL 500D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
CMPL 500D1 and CMPL 500D2 together are equivalent to CMPL 500
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CMPL 500D2 Aboriginal Peoples and the Law (1.5 credits)
Overview
Comparative Law : See CMPL 500D1 for course description.
Terms: This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Instructors: There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Prerequisite: CMPL 500D1
No credit will be given for this course unless both CMPL 500D1 and CMPL 500D2 are successfully completed in consecutive terms
CMPL 500D1 and CMPL 500D2 together are equivalent to CMPL 500
Political Science
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POLI 372 Indigenous Peoples and the Canadian State (3 credits)
Overview
Political Science : The relationship of Indigenous politics to larger debates and literatures within political science, such as citizenship theory, federalism, and collective action. Subjects covered include Canada's treaty history, constitutional changes, key policy frameworks, and Indigenous political development.
Terms: Winter 2021
Instructors: Cowie, Chadwick (Winter)
