BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

FNWS-203 - First Nations Women, Power & Environment - 3.00 Credits

FNWS-203 - First Nations Women, Power & Environment - 3.00 Credits

Course Details
This interdisciplinary course will deal with First Nations women's environmental histories, issues and concerns in comparison to the experiences of other First Nations cultures. It will introduce students to the uneven energy developments on First Nations land and the social and economical consequences for First Nations women. It will provide an analysis of power relations and adaptations with our current environmental problems. This course will enable students to develop strategies to fight existing power relations and develop alternative strategies of development.
Part of the:
  • UNIVERSITY TRANSFER Department
  • Prerequisites : ENGL 060, or English 12 and/or English 12 First Peoples or permission of instructor. Recommended prerequisite FNWS 100.
    Course Outline
    Instructors Qualifications: Relevant Master's Degree.
    Office Hours: 1.5 Per week.
    Contact Hours: 45
    Student Evaluation
    Procedure:
    Assignments 50 - 70%, Final 30 - 50%, Total 100 %. Grading procedures follow NVIT policy.
    Learning Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, the student should demonstrate knowledge, skills and/or attitudes in the following:
  • Compare and contrast economic development experienced by a random sampling of First Nations communities;

  • Identify First Nations Women as community activists in relation to economic development and community development;

  • Ability to interpret and assess the issues and concerns raised by uranium development/ deforestation, etc., in First Nations territories and the impact on communities;

  • Determine strategies for First Nations Women to be actively involved in policy-making and a participant of new technologies to restore damaged lands;

  • Understand traditional ecological knowledge as a framework for development;

  • Describe the debates on leading economic issues in Canada;

  • Discuss ways in which men and women might think about economic development strategies;

  • Discuss the cast-iron grip that conservative economic theory seems to hold over every economic issue;

  • Distinguish the relationship between exploitation, expropriation and economic development;

  • Comprehend how a feminist approach could be different;

  • Ability to undertake directed research;

  • Gain greater writing skills;

  • Develop greater critical analytical skills; and

  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a group setting.
  • Text and Materials:
  • Weaver, J. (1996). Defending Mother Earth: Native American Perspectives on Environmental Justice. New York: Orbis Books.
  • Kinsley, David R. (1995). Ecology and Religion: Ecological Spirituality in Cross-Cultural Perspective. Cliffs, Englewood, NJ : Prentice-Hall.
  • Williams, N., and G, Baines. (1993). Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Wisdom for Sustainable Development. Canberra: Center for Resource and Environmental Studies, Australian Natural University.
  • Other Resources:
  • Berkes, F. (1999) Sacred Ecology: Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Resource Management. Philadelphia: Taylor and Francis.
  • Bombay, H. (1996) Aboriginal Forest-Based Ecological Knowledge in Canada. Ottawa: National Aboriginal Forestry Association.
  • Other material may be drawn from the bibliography attached to this document; as determined by instructor.

  • Transfer Credits: For more information visit: www.bctransferguide.ca
    Other Information: Late Assignments: All assignments are to be handed in at the beginning of class on the date they are due. Late assignments will be assessed a 5 % per day penalty. Assignments not submitted within one week of the due date will not be accepted.
    Every effort should be made to have assignments in on the due date. Assignments will not be graded after the due date without a written agreement negotiated between student and instructor. If you know that you will be unable to hand your assignment in on time, you should discuss it with your instructor at least one week in advance of the due date. Extensions are only given in compelling medical or personal circumstances; documentation may be required.
    Papers: Papers should be typewritten if possible but hand-written papers may be accepted. Papers with illegible writing will not be graded. Students should make every effort to acquaint themselves with a computer and a writing program; watch for workshop offered by Student Services which will equip you with the tools you need for researching and writing on a computer. Papers should be completed on 8½ x 11 inch white or recycled paper and secured with a single staple in the upper left hand corner. Papers should carry the date the paper was submitted rather than the date it was due. Students should keep a hard copy of their paper or a photocopy of their paper before you hand it in.
    Attendance: Attendance at lectures is critical because much information on the various topical areas, as well as, the assignments is disseminated in class. Lack of attendance will definitely be reflected in your overall grade. Students are expected to excuse their absences, in advance of the class, through other students or the instructor. Students with three ( 3) or more documented absences may be required to withdrawn from the class and/or face disciplinary action.
    Academic Honesty: As with any other public institution, the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology considers plagiarism a serious offence. Plagiarism is the act of presenting the ideas or works of another as one’s own. This applies to all materials including essays, work term reports, laboratory reports, seminar presentations, computer programs, research projects and results, and statistical data. The use of such material either directly or indirectly without proper acknowledgement (i.e., footnotes or endnotes) is contrary to the norms of academic behaviour and is subject to severe penalties, up to and including expulsion from the class or the institution. If in doubt about correct practices, ask your instructor.