First Nations Studies and Linguistics Joint Major
This joint major will focus and expand expertise where these two disciplines intersect. Students will gain insight into the languages and cultures of British Columbia and North America First Nations people. The program provides in-depth understanding of at least one First Nations language and develops skills related to language teaching and curriculum development. Students should plan their studies in consultation with both the First Nations Studies and the Department of Linguistics advisors.
¶¡ÏãÔ°AV Requirements
An overall 2.25 cumulative GPA and a minimum C+ grade in LING 220 is required for admission to the major and all joint major programs.
Program Requirements
Students complete 120 units, as specified below.
Lower Division First Nations Studies Requirements
Students complete at least 13 units of lower division First Nations Studies courses including all of
Introduces the nature and goals of First Nations Studies as an academic discipline that emphasizes cultures and homelands of First Peoples. Breadth-Humanities/Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Sarah Henzi |
May 9 – Jun 20, 2016: Mon, 5:30–8:20 p.m.
May 9 – Jun 20, 2016: Thu, 5:30–8:20 p.m. |
Vancouver Vancouver |
An examination of fact and ideology in history and historic events involving contact between Aboriginal and European peoples. The course will also address questions of research methodologies in studying Aboriginal/European relations, such as the evaluation of oral history and written ethnohistoric sources. An additional focus will be on gender as it influences perspectives. Breadth-Social Sciences.
An introduction to the study of human social and cultural life from an anthropological perspective. The course will explore the scope and nature of the discipline of anthropology through study of selected cases drawn from both technologically simple communities and complex modern industrial societies. Students with credit for SA 170 may not take SA 101 for further credit. Breadth-Social Sciences. Equivalent Courses: SA170. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|
Distance Education |
and three additional units in a 100 or 200 division course with significant First Nations content, subject to department approval. Examples of these courses follow.
A survey of prehistoric cultures of North and South America. The peopling of the New World, the rise of the pre-Columbian civilizations of Mexico and Peru, and the cultural adaptations by prehistoric populations to other parts of the New World. Prerequisite: ARCH 100 or 201. Breadth-Social Sciences.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Eldon Yellowhorn |
May 9 – Jun 20, 2016: Mon, Wed, 10:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
May 9 – Jun 20, 2016: Mon, Wed, 2:30–4:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Indigenous peoples of North America possess perceptions of landscape rooted in their long history with the land. Using methods and theories designed for anthropology, archaeology, land and resource management planning and geography will bring a multi-disciplinary approach to this study of cultural landscapes. Prerequisite: FNST 101 or 201.
Topics will vary from term to term depending on faculty availability and student interest where the body of work may not otherwise be covered in-depth in regular courses. Prerequisite: Three units in First Nations Studies.
*** may be completed more than once when offered as a different topic
Lower Division Linguistics Requirements
Students complete at least 15 units of lower division linguistics courses including both of
The principles of phonetic and phonological analysis. Prerequisite: LING 220.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Marion Caldecott |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
and nine additional 100 or 200 division LING and/or FNLG units. Note that LING 222 is required for many upper division courses.
Subject to approval by the program director, other lower division courses that have First Nations language content may be applied toward this program.
Upper Division First Nations Studies Requirements
Students complete at least 21 units of upper division First Nations Studies including all of
An examination of First Nations and Aboriginal peoples' perspectives on political, social and legal issues involving their rights as first citizens of Canada and North America, and the practical and political relations with various levels of government. Issues examined include: Aboriginal rights and title questions, self government models and concepts, constitutional matters, the impact of federal government policies, including their impact on women's lives, and Aboriginal community and First Nations politics. Prerequisite: FNST 101 and 201. Recommended: POL 221.
Style and content of Aboriginal people's discourse about their culture, world view, history and matters affecting their lives. Includes the analysis of selections from Aboriginal oral literature, autobiography, expository writing, modern poetry and fiction. Prerequisite: 60 units and one of FNST 101 or FNST 201. Writing.
This course explores the subject of traditional Indigenous knowledge and its contemporary implications for First Nations programs in such areas as economic development, ecotourism, spiritualism, language retention, biodiversity, ethnoscience, environmentalism, and heritage conservation. First Nations perspectives on patents, copyrights, and other creative products from traditional culture will also be examined through lecture, guest speakers and seminar presentation. Prerequisite: FNST 101 or FNST 201.
and the remaining nine units from
The prehistory and cultural traditions of the region. The content, antecedents, relationships, and changes in these cultures through time. Technological, socio-economic, and environmental factors in culture growth. Prerequisite: ARCH 273.
An analysis of political, economic, and ethnic minorities and their relationship with the criminal justice system. Critical analysis of possible discordance, disharmony or conflict between ethnic and racial minorities such as Native Indians, Inuit, Metis, Doukhobor and others and the legal and social norms of the 'host' majority. Women and the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: CRIM 101.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Charmaine Perkins Charmaine Perkins |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Sat, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Surrey |
The intensive study of selected works of aboriginal writers. May be organized by author, genre, or critical approach. Prerequisite: One 300 division English course. Reserved for English honors, major, joint major and minor students. Students with credit for ENGL 453 may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Variable units 3, 4, 5. Prerequisite: Will vary according to the topic.
An image-based lecture and discussion course on Indigenous art history that reviews, compares and contrasts several regional historic and/or contemporary Indigenous art practices, including a review of craft, technologies, performance traditions and aesthetic canons in one or more cultural areas in the Americas, their methods of manufacture, use, and symbolic meanings. Prerequisite: 45 units. Recommended: FNST 101 or 201.
Examines selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples of North America from first contact with Europeans to the mid-nineteenth century. Prerequisite: 45 units including FNST 101 or 201. Students with credit for HIST 325 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples of North America from first contact with Europeans to the mid-nineteenth century. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for FNST 325 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples of North America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Prerequisite: 45 units including FNST 101 or 201. Students with credit for HIST 326 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples of North America in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for FNST 326 may not take this course for further credit.
Themes and issues relating to the historical and contemporary experiences of Aboriginal women in Canada: Indigenous theories of gender; evolution and political function of stereotypes of Indigenous women in Canada; history of Canadian legislation regulating indigenous identity; relevance of feminist analysis; and history of activism. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students who have taken FNST 322 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. FNST 327 and GSWS 327 (or WS 327) are identical and students may not take both courses for credit.
Themes and issues relating to the historical and contemporary experiences of aboriginal women in Canada: Indigenous theories of gender; evolution and political function of stereotypes of Indigenous women in Canada; history of Canadian legislation regulating Indigenous identity; relevance of feminist analysis; and history of activism. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students who have taken FNST 322 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. FNST 327 and GSWS 327 (or WS 327) are identical and students may not take both courses for credit.
Examines written works on sexuality and gender including the history of representations of the sexualized savage; the discussion of Indigenous concepts of gender, including discussions of two-spirit versus gay identity; homophobia and sexual violence as tools of colonization; the emancipatory potential of erotica. Prerequisite: 45 units. Students with credit for FNST 322 may not take this course for further credit.
This course is an introduction to the study of plant knowledge and use by First Nations peoples in British Columbia. It provides students with information about the role of plants in First Nations' cultures including such areas as foods, medicines, technology, ceremony, ecological indicators, and within First Nations' knowledge and classification systems. Special focus may be placed on the ethnobotany of one or more Aboriginal groups or culture areas. Prerequisite: FNST 101. Breadth-Science.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Marianne (PhD) Ignace |
May 9 – Jun 20, 2016: Wed, 1:30–7:50 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Examines issues that arise when Aboriginal people must balance economic development and cultural integrity. Topics include self-reflexive internalist research, ethics and best practices in representing Indigenous heritage, public laws and land claim agreements affecting heritage, the exhumation and repatriation of human remains and religious freedom and access to sacred sites and objects. Prerequisite: 45 units or permission of the instructor. Students who have taken FNST 322 previously under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Examines works of popular fiction by Indigenous authors and their use of specific genres (e.g. the mystery novel, vampire thriller, sci fi, comic book). Prerequisite: 45 units. Students with credit for ENGL 360, or FNST 322 under this topic, may not take this course for further credit.
Examines works of popular fiction by Indigenous authors, and their use of specific genres (e.g. the mystery novel, vampire thriller, sci fi, comic book). Prerequisite: Two 100 division English courses, and two 200 division English courses. Students who have taken FNST 322 under this topic, or FNST 360 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines various art forms and aesthetic expressions of select Indigenous peoples of the Americas including Aboriginal poetry and poetic forms. A research and creation studio course. Prerequisite: 45 units and permission of instructor; no previous artistic training and/or experience arc required. Students with credit for FNST 322 under the topic 'Poetics/Poetry: Bookmaking' or 'Indigenous Expressive Arts' may not take this course for further credit.
Studio seminar with intensive practice through significant weaving projects. Uses diverse techniques (tool making and loom building) and materials such as grasses, tree withes, wool, twine and synthetics to reflect upon ecosystem relevance, sustainability, and cosmology in specific First Nations and Indigenous communities. A minimum of 12 additional hours per week for project work is required. Prerequisite: 45 units including one FNST course and permission of instructor.
Examines various art forms and aesthetic expressions of select Indigenous peoples of the Americas. Reviews techniques and protocols for the gathering and preparation of materials and the use of ethnographic materials, and provides learning through hands-on practice. Prerequisite: 45 units and permission of instructor; no previous artistic training and/or experience is required. Students with credit for FNST 322 under the topic 'Indigenous Expressive Arts' with a focus in crafts may not take this course for further credit.
An in-depth examination of Aboriginal/Indigenous conceptions of justice in dealing with crime and other trouble in Indigenous communities, and in relations among peoples. Prerequisite: FNST 101 or 201, or CRIM 101, or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for CRIM 416, 418, or 419 may not take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ted, PhD. Palys |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
An in-depth examination of Aboriginal/indigenous conceptions of justice in dealing with crime and other trouble in indigenous communities, and in relations among peoples. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 or FNST 101 or 201 or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for this course as CRIM 416 or 418, or FNST 419, may not take this course for further credit.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Ted Palys |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Fri, 9:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
An examination of how relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples framed and were framed by the development of international law from the 15th century onward. Prerequisite: FNST 101 or 201, or CRIM 101, or permission of instructor. Students with credit for CRIM 429, or under CRIM 416 or 418 under the title "Indigenous Peoples and International Law" or "Indigenous Peoples and Evolving International Relations" may not take this course for further credit.
An examination of how relations between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples framed and were framed by the development of international law from the 15th century onward. Prerequisite: CRIM 101 or FNST 101 or 201 or permission of instructor. Students with credit for CRIM 416, or 418 under the title "Indigenous Peoples and International Law" or "Indigenous Peoples and Evolving International Relations", or FNST 429 may not take this course for further credit.
Examines contemporary writings regarding Indigenous environmental logic and environmental concerns of contemporary times. Studies effects of resource extraction upon Indigenous nations, globalization, genetic modifications, health, intellectual property, spiritual beliefs, culture and society, art and language and compares these with specific Indigenous logic at the time of contact. Prerequisite: 45 units.
Directed readings for upper level students in First Nations Studies who wish to study selected topics in depth. Variable units 2, 3, 4, 5. May be repeated once when topic is different. Prerequisite: Fifteen units in First Nations Studies. Co-requisite: permission of an instructor and department.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
TBD |
Traces the development of legal doctrine pertaining to Aboriginal peoples in Canada and the United States, including its shared roots in British colonial law and policy. Prerequisite: 45 units including FNST 101, 201 and one other FNST course; or permission of the instructor. Students with credit for HIST 443, or HIST 485 or 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrea (Dr.) Geiger |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Traces the development of legal doctrine pertaining to Aboriginal peoples in Canada and the United States, including its shared roots in British colonial law and policy. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history. Students with credit for FNST 443, or HIST 485 or 486 under this topic may not take this course for further credit. Writing.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Andrea Geiger |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 8:30 a.m.–12:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Directed study for upper level students in a topic chosen in consultation with a supervisor. Explore First Nations topics through research. Variable units: 2, 3, 4, 5. This course may be repeated for credit when topic is different. Prerequisite: Fifteen units of FNST courses; permission of an instructor and department approval. Co-requisite: varies depending on topic.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
TBD |
Examines protocol, theory, responsibility, issues of domain (including inherent rights) involving traditional oral testimony, storytelling, oral narrative in an Aboriginal/Nation-centric canon. Compares Aboriginal canon 'oral record' to Aboriginal individual first-person accounts. Prerequisite: 60 units including FNST 101 or FNST 201 and permission of the instructor.
Examination of selected themes in the history of Aboriginal peoples. Content may vary from offering to offering; see course outline for further information. HIST 427 may be repeated for credit only when a different topic is taught. Prerequisite: 45 units including nine units of lower division history.
The social and cultural patterns of aboriginal populations within various modern nation-states. Their relations with majority societies and with other indigenous groups across the world. Prerequisite: SA 101 or 150 or 201W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Michael Hathaway |
May 9 – Jun 20, 2016: Tue, Thu, 5:30–9:20 p.m.
|
Vancouver |
Other courses that have First Nations content may be applied toward this program, subject to department approval.
* when topic is appropriate
†only one of the two courses may be used
†â¶Ä may be completed more than once when offered as a different topic
Upper Division Linguistics Requirements
Students complete at least 21 units of upper division linguistics courses including two of
An overview of theoretical principles in phonology. Prerequisite: LING 221.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
John Alderete |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Wed, 1:30–2:20 p.m.
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Fri, 12:30–2:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Introduces theories of sentence structure. Prerequisite: LING 222.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Keir Moulton |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 2:30–5:20 p.m.
|
Burnaby |
Word structure in natural languages and its relationship to phonological and syntactic levels of grammar. Prerequisite: LING 221, 222 and one of LING 301W, 309W or 482W.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
John Alderete |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Wed, 9:30–10:20 a.m.
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Fri, 8:30–10:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
Basic formal aspects of meaning (e.g. compositional semantics, truth conditional semantics and quantification in natural language) and how they are distinguished from pragmatic aspects of meaning. Prerequisite: LING 222. Quantitative.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Chung-hye Han |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Mon, 2:30–4:20 p.m.
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Wed, 2:30–3:20 p.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
A survey of methods of speech sound description and transcription. Prerequisite: LING 221.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Yue Wang |
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Tue, 10:30–11:20 a.m.
May 9 – Aug 8, 2016: Thu, 9:30–11:20 a.m. |
Burnaby Burnaby |
and two of
Intended for advanced learners of a particular First Nations language. Offers advanced vocabulary and/or grammatical skills through individualized practice with fluent speakers (usually elders) of that language. Enrolment requires prior approval of the Department of Linguistics and the local First Nations community. Students will be evaluated on the basis of the individualized goals and objects set at the beginning of the course. Prerequisite: FNLG 332 (or LING 332) or permission of course supervisor. Students who have completed LING 433 for a designated language may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.
Offers additional advanced vocabulary and/or grammatical skills in the First Nations language through individualized practice with fluent speakers (usually elders) of that language. Prerequisite: FNLG 433 (or LING 433) or permission of course supervisor. Recommended: FNLG 431 and 432. Students who have completed LING 434 for a designated language may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated language.
Structural and genetic characteristics of aboriginal languages of the Americas, with special emphasis on languages of the Northwest. Detailed examination of one language or language family. Prerequisite: 12 upper division linguistics units. Recommended: LING 323.
and nine additional upper division LING and/or FNLG units. The following are recommended.
Content varies as required by First Nations language communities or learners. Usually focuses on intermediate to advanced level topics on structural aspects of a particular First Nations language, emphasizing language learning and teaching. Prerequisite: FNLG 130 (or LING 130), FNLG 231 (or LING 231), FNLG 332 (or LING 332) or permission of instructor. Recommended: LING 360.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Donna Gerdts |
TBD |
Content varies as required by First Nations language communities or learners. Usually focuses on advanced level topics on structural aspects of a particular First Nations language, emphasizing language learning and teaching. Prerequisite: LING 220, FNLG 332 (or LING 332) or permission of instructor. Recommended: LING 360, FNLG 431 and 432. Students who have completed LING 435 for a designated topic may not complete this course for further credit for the same designated topic.
Section | Instructor | Day/Time | Location |
---|---|---|---|
Donna Gerdts |
TBD |
Theoretical and practical aspects of second language learning. Prerequisite: LING 220.
Application of linguistic principles to the teaching of English as a second language. Prerequisite: LING 221.
Special topics and/or directed readings courses may be applied toward this program, subject to approval by the program director.
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 ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 45 upper division units, of which at least 30 upper division units must be completed at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV
- at least 65 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 CGPA of at least 2.0, and a program (major, joint major, extended minor, minor) CGPA and upper division CGPA of at least 2.0
Writing, Quantitative, and Breadth Requirements
Students admitted to ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV beginning in the fall 2006 term must meet writing, quantitative and breadth requirements as part of any degree program they may undertake. See for university-wide information.
WQB Graduation Requirements
A grade of C- or better is required to earn W, Q or B credit
Requirement |
Units |
Notes | |
W - Writing |
6 |
Must include at least one upper division course, taken at ¶¡ÏãÔ°AV within the student’s major subject | |
Q - Quantitative |
6 |
Q courses may be lower or upper division | |
B - Breadth |
18 |
Designated Breadth | Must be outside the student’s major subject, and may be lower or upper division 6 units Social Sciences: B-Soc 6 units Humanities: B-Hum 6 units Sciences: B-Sci |
6 |
Additional Breadth | 6 units outside the student’s major subject (may or may not be B-designated courses, and will likely help fulfil individual degree program requirements) Students choosing to complete a joint major, joint honours, double major, two extended minors, an extended minor and a minor, or two minors may satisfy the breadth requirements (designated or not designated) with courses completed in either one or both program areas. |
Residency Requirements and Transfer Credit
The University’s residency requirement stipulates that, in most cases, total transfer and course challenge credit may not exceed 60 units, and may not include more than 15 units as upper division work.
Elective Courses
In addition to the courses listed above, students should consult an academic advisor to plan the remaining required elective courses.