Indigenous Studies (INST) 460

Overview

INST 460 – Management of Indigenous Institutions and Organizations is a three credit, senior level course addressing the topic of management in Indigenous organizations. It will build on knowledge that has been gained in courses such as introductory management, organizational behavior and human resource management, and in courses that explored Indigenous cultures and values; history; treaty, Aboriginal and inherent rights; self-determination; and other relevant topics.

Two fundamental themes lie at the core of this course:

The nature and purpose of Indigenous organizations, and the strategies, structures and processes essential to ensuring that these organizations fulfil their purpose effectively. The types of organizations that we consider include

• Indigenous governments and their civil service,
• Indigenous social service, education, health and justice organizations,
• economic development organizations, including development corporations and individual businesses, and
• trusts, boards and other structures flowing from land claim settlements, co-management agreements and the like.

Management structures and processes in Indigenous organizations. In particular, we focus on cultures and values, and on the similarities and differences

• in Indigenous organizations compared to non-Indigenous ones.
• among organizations of different Indigenous groups, and
• among the diverse types of Indigenous organizations.

Outline

Part I: Management in Indigenous Organizations: Principles, Concepts, Structures and Tools

• Unit 1: Introduction
• Unit 2: Culture, Values and Management
• Unit 3: Leadership, Governance and Organizational Structure

Part II: Organizational Management

• Unit 4: Introduction, Social Services, Public Works
• Unit 5: Education, Justice, Health
• Unit 6: Development Corporations, Partnerships, Joint Ventures, Individual Businesses
• Unit 7: Treaties, Land Claims and Co-management Agreements

Part III: Accountability, Synthesis

• Unit 8: Stewardship, Accountability and Disclosure
• Unit 9: Synthesis and Review

Evaluation

To receive credit for INST 460, you must achieve a grade of at least 50 percent on the two tutor marked assignments, a midterm and a final examination, and a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent). The weighting of the course assignments is as follows:

The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.

Materials

The course materials include a study guide, student manual, and a book of readings.

Important links

• Academic advising
• Program planning
• Request assistance
• Support services