Overview
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
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:
Little Bear, L., Boldt, M., & Long, J.A. (1992). Pathways to self-determination: Canadian Indians and the Canadian state. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.
Other Materials
The course materials also include a student manual, study guide, and a reading file.