Indigenous Studies
Indigenous Studies
Program

About the Program
McMaster's Indigenous Studies Program was established in 1991 from the efforts of a group of Aboriginal students who formed the first McMaster First Nations Student Association (MFNSA) in 1989. The purpose of MFNSA was to establish peer support and mentorship for First Nations students who were attending McMaster University. Throughout the years, this Aboriginal student group has also brought awareness of various Aboriginal issues to the university community. The McMaster First Nations Student Association also encourages Native students attending secondary schools to continue on with post secondary education. The Indigenous Studies Program and the MFNSA work together to play an active role in the education and awareness of of Indigenous perspectives ansd issues to McMaster's community, as well play an important role in mentoring and supporting Aboriginal students in obtaining university education.

The Indigenous Studies Program offers a three-year Combined Bachelor of Arts Degree in Indigenous Studies and another subject. Students have their choice of combining Indigenous Studies with a subject area from either Humanities or Social Sciences. Students in other displines may take Indigenous Studies as electives or take 18 units of Indigenous Studies courses to complete a Minor in the area of Indigenous Studies within their degree.

Since the Program has been created, the Indigenous Studies Program incorporates a very unique teaching structure of Indigenous knowledge which involves many Native peoples and Elders. This unique perspective assists all students from various cultures and backgrouds in learning about the history and lives of Aboriginal people within an Indigenous perpective. The faculty and staff who work within the Indigenous Studies Program are dedicated to educating Indigenous perspectives and issues, as well the success of our students.

What the Indigenous Studies Program can be combined with:

Social Sciences

Anthropology
Economics
Geography
Gerontology
Health Studies
Political Science
Psychology
Social Work

Humanities

Art History
Classics
English
French
History
Music
Philosophy
Theater & Film

 

 

Combined B.A. Program in Indigenous Studies and Another Subject

Admission

Completion of any Level I program, with a Cumulative Average of at least 3.5 including a grade of at least C- in three units from INDIG ST 1A03 or 1AA3 and three units from CAYUGA 1Z03, MOHAWK 1Z03 or OJIBWE 1Z03 and satisfaction of admission requirements for the B.A. program in the other subject.

Notes

  1. Those students who entered the program prior to September 2005 should follow the requirements as specified in the Calendar which was in effect the year they entered the program.
  2. Three units of work in the other subject of the combined program which are also in the Course List may be used to fulfill the requirements of both program components.
  3. Students who previously completed ANTHROP 3F03 or POL SCI 3C03 may use these units toward the Course List requirement.

Course List

ANTHROP 2B03, 2H03, 2VV3, 2W03, 3Y03
SOC WORK 4I03

Requirements

90 units total (Levels I to III), of which 42 may be Level I

30 units from the Level I program completed prior to admission to the program. (See Admission above.)
6 units from CAYUGA 2Z03, INDIG ST 2AA3, MOHAWK 2Z03, OJIBWE 2Z03
3 units from INDIG ST 2C03, 2D03
15 units from Level II, III Indigenous Studies, CAYUGA 2Z03, MOHAWK 2Z03, OJIBWE 2Z03 (if not taken to satisfy requirement above), courses from the Course List of which at least three units must be Level III. (See Notes 2 and 3 above.)
24 units courses specified for the other subject
12 units Electives

 

 

Minor In Indigenous Studies

Notes

  1. No more than six of the 18 units from Course List may be Level I courses.
  2. At least 12 of the 18 units required for the Minor must be Indigenous Studies or Indigenous language courses.
  3. Students who previously completed ANTHROP 3F03, INDIG ST 3I03, 3J03 or POL SCI 3C03 may use these units toward the Course List requirement.

Course List

INDIG ST 1A03 INTRODUCTION TO INDIGENOUS STUDIES
INDIG ST 1AA3 INTRODUCTION TO CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS STUDIES
INDIG ST 2A03 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' SPIRITUALITY
INDIG ST 2AA3 INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE AND METHODOLOGY
INDIG ST 2B03 HISTORY OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLES' SOVEREIGNTY
INDIG ST 2C03 CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS SOCIETIES AND ISSUES: SELECTED TOPICS
Topic 2009-2010: TBA
INDIG ST 2D03 TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE
INDIG ST 3C03 STUDY OF IROQUOIS FIRST NATIONS IN CONTEMPORARY TIMES
INDIG ST 3CC3 CONTEMPORARY INDIGENOUS SOCIETIES: SELECTED TOPICS
Topic 2009-2010: TBA
INDIG ST 3D03 CONTEMPORARY NATIVE LITERATURE IN CANADA
INDIG ST 3E03 CONTEMPORARY NATIVE LITERATURE IN THE UNITED STATES
INDIG ST 3G03 INDIGENOUS CREATIVE ARTS AND DRAMA: SELECTED TOPICS
Topic 2009-2010: TBA
INDIG ST 3H03 INDIGENOUS MEDICINE I - PHILOSOPHY
INDIG ST 3HH3 INDIGENOUS MEDICINE II - PRACTICAL
INDIG ST 3K03 INDIGENOUS HUMAN RIGHTS
INDIG ST 3L03 INDIGENOUS INDEPENDENT STUDY
CAYUGA 1Z03 INTRODUCTION TO CAYUGA LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
CAYUGA 2Z03 INTERMEDIATE CAYUGA
MOHAWK 1Z03 INTRODUCTION TO MOHAWK LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
MOHAWK 2Z03 INTERMEDIATE MOHAWK
OJIBWE 1Z03 INTRODUCTION TO OJIBWE LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
OJIBWE 2Z03 INTERMEDIATE OJIBWE
ANTHROP 2B03 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF NORTH AMERICA
ANTHROP 2H03 ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE
ANTHROP 2VV3 THE MAYA BEFORE COLUMBUS
ANTHROP 2W03 THE AZTECS AND INCAS
ANTHROP 3Y03 ABORIGINAL COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
SOC WORK 4I03 SOCIAL WORK AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Requirements

24 units total

6 units from INDIG ST 1A03, 1AA3, CAYUGA 1Z03, MOHAWK 1Z03, OJIBWE 1Z03
18 units from the Course List (See Notes above.)

 

 

Indigenous Studies
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Contact Information
Hamilton Hall, Room 103
1280 Main Street West
Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1
Phone: 905-525-9140 x27426
Email: indig@mcmaster.ca