BC's Indigenous Public Post-Secondary Institute

Associate of Arts Degree- First Nations Studies

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Current Course Offerings

Department: UNIVERSITY TRANSFER
Program Delivery Location: Merritt, Vancouver
Credential: University Transfer
Format: Full-Time, Part-Time
Start Dates: September, January

Associate of Arts Degree- First Nations Studies

An Associate of Arts Degree in First Nations Studies is awarded to recognize the successful completion of the equivalent of two years of full-time study. It requires 60 credits as prescribed below. An overall minimum GPA of 2.33 is required. Transfer credit may be granted for approved courses completed at other institutions. Upon successful completion, students can transfer to a University into their desired Arts or Education majors.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Grade 12 graduation plus a C+ minimum in the following:

English 12 (or ENGL 060)

Pre-Calculus 11 (or Math 051)

Year 1
Students are required to successfully complete the 30 credits prescribed below: Elective English UT 100 Level 3 Elective Lab Science UT 100 or 200 Level 3

ENGL-110 - English Composition

ENGL-111 - Introduction to Modern Fiction

FNST-100 - Introduction to First Nations Studies I

FNST-101 - Introduction to First Nations Studies II

HIST-100 - Intro to General Canadian History I

HIST-101 - Introduction to General Canadian History II

SOCI-111 - Introduction to Sociology I

STAT-203 - Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences

STSC-101 - Strategies for Success

Year 2
After successful completion of all courses listed in Year 1, students are required to complete 12 credits as prescribed below plus 18 elective credits in the following areas: FNWS Elective 3 credits @ 200 level – Recommend: ENGL 202 The Cultural Politics of Indigenous Literature or FNWS 207 Storytelling as Metaphor: First Nation Women’s Lives; ENGL Elective 3 credits @ 200 level – Recommend: ENGL 212 Discourse and Colonization of Indigenous Social Spaces, ENGL 208 Creative Writing: Poetry or ENGL 209 Creative Writing: Short Stories; Laboratory Science Elective 3 credits @ 100 or 200 level - Recommend: FNSC 106 Exploring the Natural Sciences or One of: FNSC 107-Environmental Sciences, BIOL 110-Biological Principles, SCIE 150-Aspects of Plateau Ethnoscience (Comparative Science), OR NRTC 153-Botany and Zoology OR SCIE 108-Aboriginal Land Use Planning; SOCI Elective 3 credits @ 200 level; Arts Elective 6 credits @ 100 or 200 level; *FNST 203 is replacing FNST 100 and 101, if you have credit for these two courses, you will not be given credit for FNST 203.

CMSC-109 - Computer Applications

FNED-150 - International Indigenous Studies

FNST-203 - First Nations of the Americas

FNWS-206 - First Nation Women's Artistic Tradition

Course Listing for this program

CMSC-109 - Credits: 3.000
Computer Applications
The course is intended to provide practical skills for the academic usage of computers. Basic concepts and terminology will also be covered. At the end of this course the student will be able to use computers to some common problems found in both the academic community and Aboriginal communities and organizations. Students will have a basic knowledge of computer hardware, office applications and internet technologies. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: or Instructor Permission

ENGL-110 - Credits: 3.000
English Composition
English 110 prepares students to write successful college essays. This course focuses on the writing process. Students will learn how to develop, organize, write, revise, document, and edit essays. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 060 / or English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English First Peoples 12 or permission of instructor.

ENGL-111 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Modern Fiction
This course is designed to introduce students to the world of fiction (short stories and novels) through a variety of First Nations and western texts. Students will explore the meaning of literature through subjective experiences and objective study of literary concepts in an interactive atmosphere. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 110 / or permission of instructor.

FNED-150 - Credits: 3.000
International Indigenous Studies
This course provides an introductory overview of the political, social and cultural circumstances of indigenous peoples globally. Particular attention is given to sovereignty, land and resource rights, the protection of indigenous knowledge, and indigenous justice. Through the use of case studies from around the world, students will gain an appreciation for the contributions of indigenous peoples to the global community, and be able to identify and discuss their various struggles for decolonization. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: None

FNST-100 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to First Nations Studies I
This course is designed to introduce students to concepts of colonialism and indigenous reaction to it. Students will learn about the following: the origins of indigenous peoples in Canada; the rise of Europe and its world-wide empires; European colonialism in the Americas; Canadian forms of colonialism and neo-colonialism; the aftermath of colonialism, and indigenous reactions to the above. The experiences of indigenous peoples in North America, particularly Canada, will be the focus of our reading and discussions. The experiences of indigenous peoples in Central and South America will also be considered. More Details on this course

FNST-101 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to First Nations Studies II
This is an introductory First Nations Studies course that will review the historical relationship between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples within Canada. It will then provide an overview of the contemporary relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples within Canada as they relate to issues of identity, consciousness, population, health, social development, justice, urban experience, treaties, self-determination and self-government, land claims policy, organization, the Canadian government, and economic development. More Details on this course

FNST-203 - Credits: 3.000
First Nations of the Americas
This course will consist of an historical examination of specific First Nations peoples of Southern, Central, and North America (excluding Canada). The traditional cultural, social, economic, political and spiritual strengths of these groups will be explored in the context of the pre-contact and post-contact eras. Students will learn of the fascinating diversity that exists in Indigenous cultures throughout the Americas and the effects of non-Indigenous colonial contact on them. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 110 / or permission of instructor.

FNWS-206 - Credits: 3.000
First Nation Women's Artistic Tradition
This course, by way of participatory methods and experiential methods, will survey the artistic expressions of First Nations women which allows for a new approach to understanding First Nations cultures. Further, this course will examine both the spiritual and political themes inherent in First Nations women's cultural expression. This course is predicated on the notion that creativity resides in all of us, thus, artistic ability (as generally defined) is not a prerequisite. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 060 / or English 12 and/or English 12 First Peoples or permission of instructor. Recommended prerequisite FNWS 100.

HIST-100 - Credits: 3.000
Intro to General Canadian History I
This course will examine some of the principle events in Canadian history from the precontact era to Confederation in 1867. The contributions of the three principal players in this time period - Aboriginal peoples, the British and the French - will be explored. Topics will include the following: precontact Aboriginal societies, the early European explorers, First Nations as trading partners and allies, the growth of the British and the French colonies, the expanding fur trade, the Seven Years War and the Royal Proclamation, the ongoing French Canadian issue, the rebellions in Upper and Lower Canada, the acceptance of responsible government, and the formation of Canada. Through this course students will learn about the historic roots of Canada and some of the key challenges facing it today. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL-060 / English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English 12 First Peoples or equivalent.

HIST-101 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to General Canadian History II
This course will examine some of the principle events in Canadian history from Confederation to the modern era. The course will examine political, social and economic developments that have shaped modern Canada. Significant Aboriginal issues and events will be brought into the discussion. Major topics include: the first provinces, the National Policy, the Numbered Treaties, World War I, the Great Depression, World War II, Canada as a middle power, multiculturalism, the 1982 Constitution and the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and the recognition of Aboriginal rights. Through this course students will learn about the modern roots of Canada and some of the key challenges facing it today. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL-060 / English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English 12 First Peoples or equivalent.

SOCI-111 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Sociology I
An introduction to the concepts and techniques employed in the study of social relationships. The course examines diversity and change in society focusing on the impact of social institutions, culture, socialization, social roles and gender. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: ENGL 060, English 12 or English Studies 12 and/or English First Peoples 12 or permission of instructor.

STAT-203 - Credits: 3.000
Introduction to Statistics for the Social Sciences
This is an introduction course into the discipline of statistics with an emphasis upon applications within the social sciences. The course provides students with an overview of statistical methods that includes scales, measures of central tendency, frequency distributions, normal distributions, sample distributions, hypothesis testing (also known as significance testing), variability, probability, z-scores, analysis of variance, estimation, and linear regression and correlation. The student will learn to apply these descriptive and inferential statistical methods in interpretations of data and analyses of behavioural research pertaining to the social sciences. More Details on this course
Prerequisites: MATH 057 / or Foundations of Math 11. Please note Math 059 or Pre-Calculus 11 is recommended

STSC-101 - Credits: 3.000
Strategies for Success
This course introduces students to higher learning and academic culture. Students will explore a variety of topics that will help them connect to resources that will aid in their student success, including test-taking strategies, note-taking, time management, research, student responsibilities and ethics, learning styles, and setting educational goals that will contribute to lifelong learning. In addition, students will connect with other academic supports like the Librarian and Student Success Centre and have access to Elders who will introduce learners to some Indigenous cultural traditions to help students maintain a healthy balance during their studies. More Details on this course

Current Course Offerings

01 = Merritt Campus
V1 = Burnaby Campus

For information on transferability, please see the BC Council on Admissions and Transferability

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Associate of Arts Degree- First Nations Studies