The primary objective of this course is to equip students with a theoretical and practical basis for understanding, assessing, and analysing the legal and political aspects of Aboriginal government and law. To accomplish this objective, the course relies on information from two very different governance systems: traditional Aboriginal government and the Canadian government.
Outline
INST 426 comprises ten units as follows:
Unit 1: Aboriginal Government and Law
Unit 2: Traditional Governance in Aboriginal Nations
Unit 3 Traditional Justice in Aboriginal Communities
Unit 4 Pressures on Traditional Governance and Law: The Royal Proclamation and the Treaties
Unit 5: Canadian Laws and Their Impact on Aboriginal Peoples
Unit 6: Contemporary Conflicts: Aboriginal Title
Unit 7: Contemporary Conflicts: Aboriginal Rights
Unit 8: Contemporary Conflicts: Treaties in the Courtroom
Unit 9: Self-Determination and Self-Government in a Contemporary Aboriginal Context
Unit 10: Conclusion
Evaluation
To receive credit for INST 426, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the final examination, and a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of assignments is as follows:
Activity
Weight
Assignment 1
10%
Assignment 2
40%
Midterm Take Home Exam
20%
Final Exam
30%
Total
100%
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Little Bear, L., Boldt, M., & Long, J.A. (1992). Pathways to self-determination: Canadian Indians and the Canadian state. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. (Print)
Other Materials
The course materials also include a student manual, study guide, and a reading file.
Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized study counterparts.