Canadian  Studies (CNST) 311- Lecture 01
Native Peoples of the Canadian Plains: An Interdisciplinary Approach
Fall 2008
Tu 18:00-20:50 SB 148 

Instructor:	Dr. J. W. Friesen; Dr. V. Lyons Friesen
Office Location:	Ed. T. 934
Office Phone:	220-5675
E-Mail:	jwfriese@ucalgary.ca
Web Page:	drsfriesen.artdesignlife.com
Office Hours:	Before & after class or by appointment

Additional Information

A selection of film/videos/DVDs from the following list will be shown in class. Exam questions will be framed on film content. Several of these are not available through regular channels, so it will be important for students to view them during regularly scheduled classes. They include:

Nomadic Indians of the West; More Than Bows and Arrows; The Other Side of the Ledger; Great Buffalo Saga; Tahtonka; Myths and Moundbuilders; Sacred Circle Recovery; Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump; Circle of the Sun (Kainai); Standing Alone (Kainai); Maxidiwic-Mandan Woman; Urban Elder; New Moon; A Gift for the Spirit; No Turning Back (RCAA); Howard Terpning: The Storyteller; Women in the Shadows.

Course Description

History and culture of the Canadian Plains Indians with an emphasis on the impact of changes from prehistoric to post-contact, nomadic to sedentary, and the impact of reserve and modern life upon traditional culture. The course will take an interdisciplinary approach with a strong emphasis on historical events, which have affected the Plains First Nations.

Objectives of the Course

1. To provide a survey of the history, culture and philosophy of Plains First Nations;

2. To assist students in differentiating and appreciating the various Plains First Nations in Canada;

3. To assist students in developing an understanding of Plains First Nations' perspectives; and,

4. To demonstrate the approaches and value of social science disciplines in studying the cultural configurations of First Nations in Canada.

Textbooks and Readings:

 

Friesen, John W. and Virginia Lyons Friesen (2008). Western Canadian Native Destiny: Complex Questions on the Cultural Maze.

Friesen, John W. and Virginia Lyons Friesen (2004). We Are Included: The Métis People of Canada Realize Riel's Vision.

Friesen, John W. (2000). Aboriginal Spirituality and Biblical Theology.

Friesen, John W. (1999). First Nations of the Plains: Creative, Adaptable and Enduring.

Friesen, John W. (2000). Sayings of the Elders (NOTE: Recommended, but NOT required).

Friesen, John W. (2000). Legends of the Elders (NOTE: Recommended, but NOT required).

Assignments and Evaluation

1^st Exam (multiple choice and essay) 30%  October 7, 2008 (60 minutes)

2^nd Exam (multiple choice and essay) 30% October 28, 2008 (60 minutes)

3^rd Exam (multiple choice and essay) 30% November 18, 2008 (60 minutes)

4^th Exam (essay) 10% December 2, 2008 (60 minutes)

Registrar-scheduled Final Examination:  NO

Please note: If your class is held in the evening, the Registrar's Office will make every attempt to schedule the final exam during the evening; however, there is NO guarantee that the exam will NOT be scheduled during the day.

Policy for Late Assignments

Assignments submitted after the deadline may be penalized with the loss of a grade (e.g.: A- to B+) for each day late.

Writing Skills Statement

Faculty policy directs that all written assignments (including, although to a lesser extent, written exam responses) will be assessed at least partly on writing skills. For details see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/info. Writing skills include not only surface correctness (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, etc) but also general clarity and organization. Research papers must be properly documented.

If you need help with your writing, you may use the Writing Centre.  Visit the website for more details: www.efwr.ucalgary.ca

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the Faculty of Communication and Culture:

(Revised, effective September 2008)

 

	Grading Scale
A+	96-100
A	90-95.99
A -	85-89.99
B+	80-84.99
B	75-79.99
B-	70-74.99
C+	65-69.99
C	60-64.99
C-	55-59.99
D+	53-54.99
D	50-52.99
F	0-49

 

Where a grade on a particular assignment is expressed as a letter grade, it will normally be converted to a number using the midpoint of the scale.  That is, A- would be converted to 87.5 for calculation purposes.  F will be converted to zero.

 

Plagiarism

Using any source whatsoever without clearly documenting it is a serious academic offense. Consequences include failure on the assignment, failure in the course and possibly suspension or expulsion from the university.

You must document not only direct quotations but also paraphrases and ideas where they appear in your text. A reference list at the end is insufficient by itself. Readers must be able to tell exactly where your words and ideas end and other people's words and ideas begin. This includes assignments submitted in non-traditional formats such as Web pages or visual media, and material taken from such sources.

Please consult your instructor or the Writing Centre (SS 106, efwr.ucalgary.ca) if you have any questions regarding how to document sources.

Students with Disabilities

If you are a student with a disability who may require academic accommodation, it is your responsibility to register with the Disability Resource Centre (220-8237) and discuss your needs with your instructor no later than fourteen (14) days after the start of the course.

Students' Union

For details about the current Students' Union contacts for the Faculty of Communication and Culture see www.comcul.ucalgary.ca/su

"SAFEWALK" Program -- 220-5333

Campus Security will escort individuals day or night -- call 220-5333 for assistance. Use any campus phone, emergency phone or the yellow phone located at most parking lot booths.

Schedule of Lectures and Readings

 

Reading list of topics covered will be handed out in class.