Overview
INST 480 uses case studies from around the world to discuss traditional models of Indigenous government from an international perspective, to show the effects of the imposition of Western government systems on these models, and to explore contemporary efforts by Indigenous peoples to envision and develop self-government.
Outline
Indigenous Studies 480: Comparative Indigenous Models of Government: International Models consists of the eight units listed below.
- Unit 1: Introduction
- Unit 2: The Iroquois Confederacy
- Unit 3: The Navajo Nation
- Unit 4: The Maori Nation
- Unit 5: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Peoples
- Unit 6: The Mapuche Nation
- Unit 7: Inuit Peoples
- Unit 8: Comparative Analysis of Emerging Systems of Indigenous Governance
Evaluation
To receive credit for INST 480, you must achieve a grade of 50 per cent on the final examination, and a minimum overall course grade of D (50 percent). The weighting of the course assignments is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 10% |
| Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Assignment 3 | 10% |
| Assignment 4 | 40% |
| Final Examination | 30% |
| Total | 100% |
The final examination 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
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:
Alfred, T. (2009). Peace, power, righteousness: An Indigenous manifesto (2nd ed.). Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Other materials
The course materials include a study guide, student manual, and a reading file.