Courses

This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to the historical and contemporary experiences of Indigenous peoples in Canada, with an emphasis on local lands and peoples. The course will explore Indigenous resilience, relationships with settlers and settler states, and principles and ethics of Indigenous Knowledge. Tutorials will focus on critical discussion and experiential learning.

This course is designed to introduce students to the ideas, methods and themes of the discipline of Indigenous Studies. The development of the field of Indigenous Studies in Canada will form an important focusin the first half. The second part of the course will address “history and politics,” including an overview of the historical processes of diplomacy, alliances, and treaty-making.

This course will discuss the relationship between spiritual philosophies, beliefs, traditions and practices that contribute to meaning in Indigenous communities. This course will emphasize traditions and teachings and understanding the role of spirituality historically and within contemporary Indigenous societies, including governance, treaties, environment, culture, healing and everyday life.

An introduction to the Anishinaabe language, including the syllabic writing system.

This course will offer an introduction to one of Canada’s Indigenous languages, including its writing system. Speaking skills will be emphasized.

An introduction to Kanien’kéha (Mohawk Language), a member of the Iroquoian language family.

An introduction to one dialect of Inuktitut, the language of the Inuit, including aspects of other dialects and the syllabic writing system.

This course builds on the introduction to Inuktitut from INS230H. Emphasis will be placed on developing grammatical complexity and vocabulary in students oral skills, as well as dialect and cultural awareness.

Introduction to methodologies and applications of Indigenous and Western sciences, with an emphasis on environmental change, animal behaviour, evolution, sustainable practices, and implications of intrinsic ecological connections. Exploratory labs, often outdoors, develop literacy and skills in each paradigm as well as critical thought, creative reflection, and synthesis of knowledge.

This course is a study of the ecological and scientific teachings of Indigenous peoples. The course provides and overview of Indigenous peoples’ relationships with the natural world in historical and contemporary environmental issues and their implications for Indigenous Peoples and others.

This is a survey course focusing on the contemporary challenges faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. In this course students research specific challenges facing Indigenous communities today. This includes specific challenges that arise out of the broader topic areas of language and culture, land rights, economics, governance, youth, education, health, social services, environment, violence, healing, community development, repatriation of cultural property, and decolonization.

A study of the languages and culture of Indigenous peoples through exploration of oral histories, from creation stories until present times, including the role of oral history and methods for studying oral history through accounts told by elders.

Examination of the historical interplay of Indigenous languages and cultures in Canada. Particular focus is on the language and culture of an Indigenous people of Ontario.

A survey of historical and contemporary representations of Indigenous people in the mass media. Introduction to basic techniques for evaluating, analyzing, and understanding the construction of Indigeneity as it is communicated through film, television, and other media. Examination of racial stereotypes and the role of mass communication in perpetuating and challenging stereotypes, cultural appropriation, Indigenous media production, impact of media portrayal of Indigenous peoples.

Examination of original Indigenous values and philosophies as embodied in Indigenous languages through various media forms

Examination of original Indigenous values and philosophies as embodied in written Indigenous language texts.

Further study of the Anishinaabe language with emphasis on speaking and writing.

Further study of Kanien’kéha (Mohawk Language), a member of the Iroquoian language family.

This course explores Indigenous decolonization and empowerment by analysing comparatively theoretical and literary debates that focus on issues of sovereignty, gender, grass-roots activism, and anti-racism. It analyses several emerging paradigm approaches to this set of debates including intersectional critical-race theory, Indigenous feminisms, and decolonization practices in theoretical and literary texts.

Contemporary and historical musical theory of sacred spiritual ceremonial music and social-public performance practices of Indigenous people of North America. This course will have a participatory emphasis on the music of the Haudenosaunee (Longhouse People) of the Great Lakes.

This course is themed in six-week quarters addressing four aspects of Western Science (basic, applied, clinical and population health). Within each quarter, the Western Science theme is examined holistically using Indigenous Science and the four aspects of the Medicine Wheel (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual).

An introduction to the evolution of Indigenous theatre in North America, examining traditional oratory, ceremony, community responsibility, and social construct and their impact on current Indigenous theatre.

An overview of Indigenous health systems, internationally, nationally, provincially and locally, with a focus on Ontario. Discussion of health models and strategies, policy, legislation, jurisdictional issues, Indigenous health initiatives.

A historical and contemporary overview of leadership and politics in First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities in Canada. This course will focus on pre-contact governance structures, contemporary effects of colonization, and processes and strategies for decolonization. Various policy initiatives from Indigenous organizations will be examined.

This course examines recent trends in First Nations politics and their effects on the social, economic and political lives of First Nations Peoples. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of the socio-political and cultural context for First Nations societies in contemporary settings. It explores the legacies of the Indian Act, the tabling of the 1969 White Paper and responses to it, the emergence of current Indigenous political movements, Constitutional issues, and First Nations citizenship.

This course examines the theory and practice of Indigenous governance and self-determination in Canada and abroad. It studies forms of Indigenous governance and self-determination past, present and future, with a special section on Indigenous self-government agreements in Canada.

This course will examine current views about Indigenous peoples’ health. The course will focus on Indigenous peoples’ perceptions of health and contemporary health systems, including policy, politics and practices.

This course uses relationship-building methodologies to develop skills to examine and explore the concept and processes, practice and promises of reconciliation. Through class discussion/seminars, guest speakers, and comparative readings in: Canadian and Indigenous colonial history; the findings of the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission; Canadian Human Rights Tribunal Decisions; and Indigenous solidarity movements in Canada. Students will examine reconciliation and determine whether it is a different process than ‘decolonization’.

This seminar provides an in-depth examination of Indigenous literatures in a comparative context. Content in any given year depends on the instructor. See Indigenous Studies website for more details.

This seminar provides an in-depth examination of Indigenous language revitalization efforts in Canada and internationally. Content in any given year depends on the instructor. See Indigenous Studies website for more information.

This seminar provides an in-depth examination of trends and topics within Indigenous studies. Content in any given year depends on the instructors. See Indigenous Studies website for more detail.

This course examines research approaches, strategies, methods and techniques used in Indigenous studies. It explores a range of topical issues including research ethics and protocols, intellectual property rights, research agreements and community-based research. This course includes the study of quantitative, qualitative and Indigenous methodologies. Critically examines research theories, methodologies and practices used by academic disciplines to study Indigenous peoples. Decolonized research methodologies will form a focus of this course.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting.
Details at www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program
Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An instructor-supervised group project in an off-campus setting.
Details at www.artsci.utoronto.ca/current/academics/research-opportunities/research-excursions-program
Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

An overview of the relationships between Indigenous peoples and their environments, including an exploration of cultural, historical, and contemporary aspects of Indigenous environmental philosophies; the nature, control and transmission of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and historical uses of TEK in managing the environment.

Critically examines Indigenous peoples’ experiences, encounters and interactions in urban areas in Canada. This course explores the historical and contemporary conditions of Indigenous peoples, including urban governance and the development of Indigenous organizations. This course will focus on youth perspectives and how traditions, cultures and knowledges are expressed in urban settings.

An examination of oral narratives with an emphasis on the significance of language. This course will give students an in-depth understanding of Anishinaabewin philosophies, teachings and values.

An investigation of (Anishnaabe, Iroquoian, Athapaskan, Salish), examined through the study of research and writing of creative-nonfiction.

In this course, we will examine how Indigenous land and water governance have been impacted by colonial policies and extractive capitalist developments. We will discuss how Indigenous peoples negotiate and resist such impacts while also renewing responsibilities with land, water, and animal and plant relations. The course is primarily focused on the North American context, with many case studies taking place in Canada.

This course explores the basis of Indigenous knowledge and how that translates into research theory and methodology. Students will design a research project, consider Indigenous research governance and conduct an ethics review. This is a service learning course. This course is only open to students enrolled in a Specialist or Major in Indigenous Studies.

This seminar provides an advanced in-depth examination of trends and topics within Indigenous studies. Content in any given year depends on the instructors. See Indigenous Studies website for more detail.

This seminar provides an in-depth examination of Indigenous studies in international contexts. Content in any given year depends on the instructors. See Indigenous Studies website for more detail. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Students design and implement an independent experiential Indigenous studies research project in consultation with an Indigenous organization and a faculty supervisor. Students must be enrolled in a major or specialist program in Indigenous Studies, and require written permission from a faculty supervisor and the Director of Indigenous Studies. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Students design and implement an independent experiential Indigenous studies research project in consultation with an Indigenous organization and a faculty supervisor. Students must be enrolled in a major or specialist program in Indigenous Studies, and requires written permission from a faculty supervisor and the Director of Indigenous Studies. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Supervised independent research on a topic agreed on by the student and the supervisor before enrolment in the course. Available only when someone is willing and able to supervise. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Supervised independent research on a topic agreed on by the student and the supervisor before enrolment in the course. Available only when someone is willing and able to supervise. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Supervised independent research on a topic agreed on by the student and the supervisor before enrolment in the course. Available only when someone is willing and able to supervise. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Supervised independent research on a topic agreed on by the student and the supervisor before enrolment in the course. Available only when someone is willing and able to supervise. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

Explores the diverse ways of understanding and responding to the world that emerge from indigenous cultures around the world. Examines how indigenous ways of being and relating to their natural environment can help us understand and address the current environmental crisis. Using examples of indigenous activism from Canada and around the world, examines how colonial histories shape dispossession and marginalization and inform visions for the future. Topics include traditional ecological knowledge, place-based social movements, environmental concerns of indigenous peoples, bio-cultural restoration and decolonization of nature-human relations.

This course draws on theoretical texts of Indigeneity, with a primary focus on Indigenous spaces in the Americas. Course participants will examine how core geographic concepts such as place, territory, land, movement and the scale of the body are sites of colonial dispossession and violence, as well as sites for decolonial and liberatory thought and practice. We will primarily engage with Indigenous-led scholarship within Geography and Indigenous Studies, and creative forms of knowledge production generated across Indigenous communities.