Indigeneity & Decolonization

Curriculum guideline

Effective Date:
Course
Discontinued
No
Course code
SOCI 3330
Descriptive
Indigeneity & Decolonization
Department
Sociology
Faculty
Humanities & Social Sciences
Credits
3.00
Start date
End term
Not Specified
PLAR
No
Semester length
15 Weeks
Max class size
35
Course designation
None
Industry designation
None
Contact hours

Lecture: 2 hours/week

and 

Seminar: 2 hours/week

Method(s) of instruction
Lecture
Seminar
Learning activities

The course will employ a number of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some or all of the following:

• Lectures and guest lectures
• Small and large group discussions
• Seminar presentations
• Experiential and land-based learning
• Readings, audio-visual materials, and case study analysis

 

Course description
This course undertakes the sociological study of Indigeneity and decolonization. Its twofold aim is to examine how settler colonialism has shaped understandings and experiences of Indigeneity and to examine the forms of resistance that Indigenous peoples have used and continue to use to decolonize their relationship with Canada. The course employs Indigenous theoretical frameworks, draws on the work of Indigenous scholars and activists, and invites Indigenous voices into the classroom to confront oppression and repression in historical and contemporary settler-Indigenous relations. Key topics include, but are not limited to, sovereignty, cultural appropriation, reconciliation, indigenous resurgence, self-governance, historic treaties and the treaty-process and social movements.
Course content

• Colonialism, settler colonialism, and Canadian nation building
• Treaties and land claims
• Policies, legislation, and the uneven distribution of resources
• Intersectional forms of oppression
• Anti-Indigenous racism
• Cultural appropriation
• Reconciliation and resurgence
• Indigenous governance structures
• Indigenous social movements, solidarity movements, and allyship

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

• Apply Indigenous theoretical perspectives to decolonization;
• Distinguish Indigenous and settler perspectives concerning treaties and land claims;
• Understand how institutional racism produces social inequality for Indigenous People in Canada;
• Identify dominant national discourses and analyze how they impact Indigeneity;
• Identify and analyze counter-discourses to settler-colonialism;
• Describe the resistance movements and resurgence efforts of Indigenous Peoples against settler colonialism;
• Engage with Indigenous perspectives on self-governance including concepts of justice, sovereignty, and resource stewardship;
• Discuss the possibilities and challenges for decolonization and/or reconciliation;
• Apply Indigenous research methodologies.

Means of assessment

Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with section specific criteria in the first week of classes. This is a graded course.

Example evaluation schemes:

A:
Attendance and participation 15%
Learning reflection journal 35%
Article review paper 25%
Group Presentation 25%

B:
Attendance and participation 10%
Mini Quizzes 10%
Midterm Exam 20%
Term Paper 30%
Final Exam 30%

Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.

 

Textbook materials

Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials is provided for students at the beginning of the semester. 

Example texts may include:

Alfred, Taiaiake. 2005. Wasáse: Indigenous Pathways of Action and Freedom. Current Edition. University of Toronto Press.

Alfred, Taiaiake. 2009. Peace, Power, Righteousness : an Indigenous manifesto, 2nd Ed. Oxford University Press.

Battell Lowman, Emma and Adam. J. Barker. 2015. Settler: Identity and Colonialism in 21st century Canada. Current Edition. Fernwood.

Belanger, Yale D. Ways of Knowing: An Introduction to Native Studies in Canada. Current Edition. Nelson.

Cannon, Martin J., and Lina Sunseri. Racism, Colonialism, and Indigeneity in Canada: A Reader. Current Edition. Oxford University Press. 

Corntassel, Jeff. 2018. Everyday Acts of Resurgence: People, Places, Practices. Current Edition. Daykeeper Press.

Coulthard, Glen Sean. 2014. Red Skin, White Masks: Rejecting the Colonial Politics of Recognition. University of Minnesota Press.

Green, Joyce. 2017. Making Space for Indigenous Feminism. Current Edition. Fernwood.

Hill, Gord. 2021. The 500 Years of Indigenous Resistance Comic Book: Revised and Expanded. Arsenal Pulp Press.

Kovach, Margaret. 2021. Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations, and Contexts. Current Edition. University of Toronto Press.

LaDuke , Winona. 2017. The Winona LaDuke Chronicles: Stories from the Front Lines in the Battle for Environmental Justice. Fernwood.

Mackey, Eva. 2016. Unsettled Expectations: Uncertainty, Land and Settler Decolonization. Fernwood.

Manuel, Arthur and Grand Chief Ronald M. Derrickson. 2021. Unsettling Canada: A National Wake-up Call. Current Edition. Between the Lines.

Maracle, Lee. 2003. I am Woman.: A Native Perspective on Sociology and Feminism. Press Gang.

Nadeau, Denise M. 2020. Unsettling Spirit: A Journey into Decolonization. McGill-Queen's University Press.

Palmater, Pamela. 2015. Indigenous Nationhood Empowering Grassroots Citizens. Fernwood.

Regan, Paulette. 2010. Unsettling the Settler Within: Indian Residential Schools, Truth Telling, and Reconciliatio in Canada. University of British Columbia Press.

Simpson, Leanne Betasamosake. 2020. As We Have Always Done: Indigenous Freedom through Radical Resistance. University of Minnesota Press.

 

Prerequisites