Overview
INST 112 continues the introduction to Plains Cree (Y dialect) grammar and vocabulary with practise in speaking and working in the language laboratory. The course prepares students for INST 211/212, the first-year university Cree course.
Objectives
Upon completion of INST 112, students will be able to comprehend simple written sentences, converse with relative ease, read with a moderate ability in the Roman orthography, and feel comfortable with a substantial vocabulary. Students will have a basic understanding of Cree culture and protocol, and some exposure to Cree syllabics. The course will increase the students' understanding of the Y dialect with a growing vocabulary, and will increase the students' fluency in spoken Cree.
Outline
Each week vocabulary, grammar, and context for various topics are introduced and practised.
- Week 1: Overview of course, oral tradition and protocols, Cree sounds, introduction to syllabics
- Week 2: Oral presentations, grammar, greetings, pronouns, verbs, root words
- Week 3: Conjugating verbs, common expressions, colours, description, verbs, kinship terms
- Week 4: Presentation by an elder, traditions, discussion
- Week 5: Cultural knowledge, oral presentations, discussion, project proposals due
- Week 6: Geography, weather, history: do Indian map, describe land
- Week 7: Food and preparation, oral presentations, calendar
- Week 8: Presentation by an elder, feast protocols, discussion
- Week 9: Health, spiritual, oral presentations
- Week 10: Traditional Cree teachings, discussion, oral presentations
- Week 11: Literature, arts, crafts, dances, oral presentations
- Week 12: Review
- Week 13: Class project due, course evaluation
Evaluation
To receive credit for INST 112, you must attend the class and laboratory regularly. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignments/Quizzes | 25% |
| Oral Presentation | 10% |
| Mid-term Exam | 20% |
| Class Project | 10% |
| Participation/ Language Lab | 5% |
| Final Exam | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Hunter, Emily, Betty Karpinski, and Jean Mulder. 1994. Introductory Cree Part I, Rev. ed. Edmonton: School of Native Studies, University of Alberta.
Hunter, Emily, and Betty Karpinski. 1994. Introductory Cree Part II, Rev. ed. Edmonton: School of Native Studies, University of Alberta.
Plains Cree Glossary
Other materials
The course materials include language laboratory tapes for each unit. You are encouraged to obtain Cree Language Structures: A Cree Approach, by Freda Ahenakew (Winnipeg, Pemmican Publishers, 1987).