What are the minimum requirements needed to fulfill the minor?

Students who minor in Aboriginal Studies shall complete a minimum of twenty-four credit hours including Anthropology 2414 (three credit hours) plus one course in any three of the following disciplines: Education, English, History, Law and Society, Linguistics, Social Work, and Sociology (nine credit hours). The remaining twelve credit hours can be chosen from any of the courses in the program. (Note: Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Native and Northern) Degree Programs must contact the Native and Northern Teacher Education Office for information on which Education courses may be used for the Aboriginal Studies Minor).

What courses should I take?

See the next section on completing the Minor. In general, however:

You need to take 24 credit hours of courses.

You must take the core course, Anthropology 2414 (3 credit hours)

For the 'breadth' requirement, you then need three more courses, each chosen from a different discipline (not Anthropology) for a total of 9 credit hours. (The disciplines are listed below).

Then you need four more courses, chosen from any discipline (for a total of 12 credit hours).

How can I complete the Minor in three years?

You can complete the Aboriginal Studies Minor in three years by taking frequently-offered courses. One possibility is outlined in this attachment.

You might want to other consider possibilities as well: for example, many courses eligible towards the Minor are offered on an occasional basis. All the eligible courses offered in a given semester are listed on the home page.

Disciplines

1) Anthropology

2) Education

3) English

5) History

6) Law and Society

7) Linguistics

8) Social Work

9) Sociology

10) History/ Anthropology


Anthropology
S/C 2414. Regional Studies: North American Indians and Inuit. This is a survey course dealing with the various tribal and band societies of North America, with special emphasis on the northern portion. The student will be introduced to the cultural history and language distribution of the area along with an examination of the major regional divisions. Several societies will be studied in more detail as case studies in the ethnographic analysis of specific cultural situations. The course will also deal with the effect on these cultures, through the historic period, of European trade, conquest, and settlement, again with special emphasis on the Canadian region. (NOTE: Credit may not be obtained for S/C 2414 and the former S/C 3281.

A/P 3290. Newfoundland and Labrador Prehistory. A seminar and reading course on the culture history of Newfoundland and Labrador from about 9,000 years ago until the time of European settlement. Particular attention will be paid to the interactions among the several ethnic and cultural groups upon whose history this course focusses. (prerequisites: A/P 1030, A/P 2480)

A/P 3291. Maritime Provinces Prehistory. Cultural developments in the area which today includes the Maritime Provinces and northern Maine, from the entry of humans into the region until the time of European contact. Emphasis is placed on cultural adaptations to a changing regional environment and the evidence for intercultural contact. (prerequisites: A/P 1030, A/P 2480)

A/P 3510. Prehistory of the New World. A survey of cultural development in the Americas from the entry of humans until the time of European contact. Topics include: the earliest human migrations and the dispersal of human groups throughout the New World; the development of complex hunting-gathering societies; the origins of agriculture and sedentism. (prerequisites: A/P 1030, A/P 2480) TOP

Education
Education 2023 - Introduction to Language and Culture in Native Education. An overview of issues of language and culture in Native and Northern Education. Emphasis will be placed on examination and development of curricula and materials that recognize cultural diversity (especially Aboriginal cultures), foster the teaching and maintenance of Aboriginal languages, and support the work of Aboriginal language specialists in the classroom

Education 2361 - School and Community. A study of the factors which constitute the educational setting in the Native community in comparison with other cultural settings. The school as an institution of cultural transmission and cultural change within the Native and Northern setting will be investigated. An examination of roles played by local individuals and groups in the education process will be addressed. Models to improve communication between school and the community will be studied.

Education 3573 - History of Native and Northern Education in Canada. Educational processes at work in Innu and Inuit society before and after the arrival of the non-Native are examined. The attempts at schooling are described and analyzed. An examination is made of the origins of the contemporary issues in Innu and Inuit Education.

Education 4020 - Issues and Trends in Native Education. A seminar course dealing with research, current problems and issues associated with Native Education within a Canadian, and in particular, a Newfoundland and Labrador context. TOP

History/Anthropology
A/P 3515. Prehistory of Mesoamerica. (Same as History 3515). When the Spanish explorers arrived in Mesoamerica i.e., Mexico and Guatemala of today) they discovered rich and complex civilizations that had developed independently of European or Asian influence. This course traces the development of Mesoamerican civilizations from their known origins to the point at which growth was terminated by Spanish intervention. (prerequisite: Anthropology 2480)

A/P 3520. The Early Ethnohistory of North America's Native People. (Same as History 3520). The North American native response to early European contact and initial settlement. Particular attention will be paid to cultural change resulting from the adoption of European goods, participation in the fur trade, the introduction of European disease, and the adaptation to a permanent European presence.

A/P 3525. The Later Ethnohistory of North America's Native People. (Same as History 3525). Indian and Inuit cultural history of the 18th and 19th centuries, including the fur trade, resistance and accommodation to European expansion, the emergence of revitalization movements, demographic changes, and population shifts. Special emphasis will be placed on the ethnohistory of the native peoples of what is now Canada and northern United States. TOP

Sociology/Anthropology
S/A 2220. Labrador Society and Culture. The Sociology and Anthropology of Labrador. The focus is on social and cultural aspects of contemporary Labrador.

S/A 3240. Regional Studies: Contemporary Native Peoples of Canada. A survey of current social conditions faced by Native communities in Canada and the critical issues posed for governments and society in general. (prerequisites: six credit hours of S/A 2XXX courses.) TOP

English
ENG 2160. North American Aboriginal Literature. This course will introduce aboriginal literature in a social, political and historical context. Beginning with the oral tradition (songs, narratives, legends and orations), it will focus on different works by North American aboriginal writers: poetry, drama, short stories and novels. TOP

History
HIST 2200. Canadian History: 1497 - 1867. A survey of Canadian History from the era of discovery to Confederation.

HIST 4222. North American Native Peoples in Historical Perspective. This seminar will focus on a number of the most important issues in North American Native history. Among the topics to be examined will be: the degree of acculturation of Native peoples after early contact with Europeans; the effects of European disease upon Native cultures; the dispossession of Native peoples by European colonists; the nature and effect of the fur trade; Native participation in the imperial wars in North America; the United States and the destruction of traditional Native cultures; and Indian policy on both sides of the Canadian-American border.
TOP

Law and Society
LWSO 3012. Aboriginal Peoples: Concepts of Land, the Law and the Constitution. Topics covered in this course include (a) Theories of First Contact; (b) The Early Treaty Process; (c) The Royal Proclamation of 1763; (d) the Indian Act: (e) Indian Treaties; (f) Aboriginal Peoples and Confederation; (g) The Role of the Courts; (h) Aboriginal Peoples and the Constitution of Canada; (i) Aboriginal Claims to Land and Resources. TOP

Linguistics

LING 2060. Aboriginal Languages of Eastern Canada. An overview of the aboriginal languages of three language families of Eastern Canada: Eskimo-Aleut (Inuktitut) and Algonquian (Innu-aimun, Mi'kmaq, Maliseet-Pasamaquoddy and Beothuk) and Iroquoian (Mohawk) with respect to both linguistic structure and current vitality. The history of language suppression and revitalization efforts, within the context of the larger issues of minority language attrition and maintenance.

Social Work
Social Work 5522. Women and Social Welfare. This course examines social policies and social services as they affect women in our society. Specific emphasis is placed on women as providers and consumers of social services. Issues related to feminist practice are examined. . (You cannot receive credit for both this and the former SW 5122).

Social Work 5614. Social Work in Rural Newfoundland and Labrador. The practice of social work in rural and northern communities requires a unique adaptation of social work theory and practice. Due to the limited resources in isolated communities the social worker or human service professional is called upon to utilize specific social work skills. This course examines the practice of rural and northern social work from the perspective of rural Newfoundland and Labrador. (prerequisites: SW 3320 and SW 3321 or consent of the instructor.) TOP

 

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