Professional Degree courses in Dentistry, Education, Law, Medicine and Theology (MTS, MDiv)
6000-6999
Courses offered by Continuing Studies
9000-9999
Graduate Studies courses
* These courses are equivalent to pre-university introductory courses and may be counted for credit in the student's record, unless these courses were taken in a preliminary year. They may not be counted toward essay or breadth requirements, or used to meet modular admission requirements unless it is explicitly stated in the Senate-approved outline of the module.
Suffixes
no suffix
1.0 course not designated as an essay course
A
0.5 course offered in first term
B
0.5 course offered in second term
A/B
0.5 course offered in first and/or second term
E
1.0 essay course
F
0.5 essay course offered in first term
G
0.5 essay course offered in second term
F/G
0.5 essay course offered in first and/or second term
H
1.0 accelerated course (8 weeks)
J
1.0 accelerated course (6 weeks)
K
0.75 course
L
0.5 graduate course offered in summer term (May - August)
Q/R/S/T
0.25 course offered within a regular session
U
0.25 course offered in other than a regular session
W/X
1.0 accelerated course (full course offered in one term)
Y
0.5 course offered in other than a regular session
Z
0.5 essay course offered in other than a regular session
Glossary
Prerequisite
A course that must be successfully completed prior to registration for credit in the desired course.
Corequisite
A course that must be taken concurrently with (or prior to registration in) the desired course.
Antirequisite
Courses that overlap sufficiently in course content that both cannot be taken for credit.
Essay Courses
Many courses at Western have a significant writing component. To recognize student achievement, a number of such courses have been designated as essay courses and will be identified on the student's record (E essay full course; F/G/Z essay half-course).
Principal Courses
A first year course that is listed by a department offering a module as a requirement for admission to the module. For admission to an Honours Specialization module or Double Major modules in an Honours Bachelor degree, at least 3.0 courses will be considered principal courses.
An interdisciplinary survey of First Nations issues, from academic and community perspectives including indigenous knowledge, historical background, oral history, socio-political context, arts, language and culture. Specific practical examples will be explored by researchers and community members actually engaged in their contemporary documentation and resolution.
Extra Information: 2 lecture hours, 1 tutorial hour.
Through the in-depth examination of Iroquoian (Mohawk) language, mythology, legends, and ceremonial texts, this course offers an introduction to the unique world view of the Iroquoian people and an examination of its continuing relevance in contemporary Iroquoian society.
Antirequisite(s): The former Anthropology 2220E.
Prerequisite(s): Any Arts and Humanities or Social Science 0.5 or 1.0 Essay course.
Students will be introduced to the basics of the Lunaape (Delaware) language, a North American Indigenous language. Students will examine the relationships of that language to various culturally relevant concepts and historical experiences of the Lunaape people.
Antirequisite(s): The former First Nations Studies 2253F/G taken Fall 2014 or Fall 2016.
Prerequisite(s): Any Arts and Humanities or Social Science 0.5 or 1.0 Essay course.
In this course the student will learn the basics of a particular North American aboriginal language (Mohawk) and will examine the relationships of that language to various culturally relevant concepts.
Antirequisite(s): The former Anthropology 2112.
Prerequisite(s): Any Arts and Humanities or Social Science 0.5 or 1.0 Essay course.
Students will learn the basics of a particular North American Aboriginal language (e.g., Ojibwe) and will examine the relationships of that language to various culturally relevant concepts.
Prerequisite(s): Any course in Arts and Humanities or Social Science.
An examination of natural resource development emphasizing the interplay between indigenous people, the state and transnational developers. Topics include: environmentalism and livelihood; land rights; corporate power and state policies; common property and community-based resource management; NGOs in environmental politics; sustainability and the greening of development.
An introduction to the Caribbean and circum-Caribbean, emphasizing religion, aesthetic styles, current political processes, and relationships of the region and its peoples to Canada.
The cultures of Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia with an emphasis on indigenous social structures. Other topics include ecology and economy, male-female relations, ritual and cosmology, hierarchical and egalitarian political systems, Pacific history, and contemporary political and economic issues.
This course examines key issues related to the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada. The time frame covers the pre-contact era to the 1969 White Paper. Topics may include: Aboriginal rights and title; treaty-making; colonial policy development; residential schools; relocation and centralization; child welfare; and the 1969 White Paper.
Antirequisite(s): The former First Nations Studies 2217F/G, the former Anthropology 2217F/G.
The cultural history of Latin American societies. Topics include the historical formation of indigenous communities, and a wide variety of contemporary social problems in Latin America.
This course explores the critical challenges still faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. The material covered will be timely and relevant, including: legal and political mobilization; jurisdictional authority and self-determination; land rights and treaty relationships; the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls inquiry.
Antirequisite(s): The former Anthropology 2218F/G.
The prehistoric societies of Ontario and surrounding areas. Topics include the entry of humans into the New World and their arrival in Ontario; development of agriculture; appearance of historic period societies such as the Huron, Neutral and Ojibwa; impact of European settlement and economic systems on native societies.
This course will focus primarily on the prehistory of the Peruvian Andes and Coast, with some overlap into Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Amazonia. We will study the area's archaeological record in some detail, touching on a variety of themes that are of general archaeological interest, e.g. agricultural origins, trade, the rise of complex societies, the role of religious ideology, and the interpretation of archaeological evidence.
Extra Information: 3 hours.
Students intending to apply for the Archaeological Summer Field Course in Peru are strongly encouraged to take this course first (Main).
This course will focus primarily on the prehistory of the Peruvian Andes and Coast, with some overlap into Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile and Amazonia. We will study the area's archaeological record in some detail, touching on a variety of themes that are of general archaeological interest, e.g. agricultural origins, trade, the rise of complex societies, the role of religious ideology, and the interpretation of archaeological evidence.
Extra Information: 3 hours.
Students intending to apply for the Archaeological Summer Field Course in Peru are strongly encouraged to take this course first (Main).
Introduction to the plurality of indigenous spiritual traditions in North America, and their diversity, complexity, and vitality. Included is an understanding of traditional ceremonies, cosmology or world view, creation stories and other narrative forms, cultural values, healers, and medicine. Special attention is given to Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee nations.
An introduction to the decorative expression of Iroquoian peoples, from before contact to the present, providing descriptions of manufacture and use with culturally relevant explanations for non-ritual and ritual applications. Students will have the opportunity to understand and appreciate the Iroquoian worldview through its artistic expressions in daily life.
Antirequisite(s): The former First Nations Studies 2255F/G.
Prerequisite(s): Any Arts and Humanities or Social Science 0.5 or 1.0 Essay course.
First Nations women have exercised considerable power and authority, both domestic and political, in their traditional cultures. Aboriginal women live within a value system that sees them as having a different but equally valid role in society. These values will be contrasted to those of mainstream Canadian society.
The consequences of physical environmental change for Indigenous communities around the globe will be examined in relation to the processes of colonialism and environmental dispossession. Topics include: identity, culture, local economies, social functioning, food security and health.
First Nations peoples are the original inhabitants of Canada. This course will examine history recorded since European contact with all possible efforts to privilege an Aboriginal point of view and the contribution Aboriginal peoples have made and continue to make to Canada as a nation-state and as a cultural community.
An examination of the culture and history of the Iroquoian Peoples from European contact to present day as presented by historical and contemporary writings and interpretation of events. Students will use a combination of primary and secondary sources drawn from both Iroquoian and Non-Iroquoian traditions.
This individualized reading course allows students to focus on a topic relevant to Indigenous peoples in Canada. Each student must make arrangements with a Professor in the First Nations Studies program. An application must be completed with approval from the Instructor and the Director. Applications are available in the First Nations Studies office.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in any third or fourth year program with approval of the Director and a minimum 80% average.
Extra Information: Hours to be arranged with the Instructor.
Indigenous knowledge, as a distinctive field of study, is emerging as an important tool in the movement toward self determination and empowerment. This course will examine Indigenous beliefs, ways of knowing, and worldviews to understand their differences and similarities, while exploring contemporary expressions through a variety of sources and interpretations.
Prequisite(s): Any course in Arts and Humanities or Social Science and registration in third year or higher.
In this interactive course students will learn the theoretical and practical foundations for conducting research with Indigenous communities. Discussions will focus on the history of research with Indigenous peoples; ethics, especially as it relates to protocols for using Indigenous knowledge(s); Indigenous research models; research agreements; and data governance (OCAP Principle).
Students will learn basic Indigenous music philosophy and apply this knowledge through practical singing and performative experience while examining the philosophical disposition of Indigenous music. Students will come away from this course with practical experience and experiential knowledge of Indigenous music (traditional cultural or contemporary).
Political and legal issues are inseparable in contemporary examinations of land use, self-determination, governance, individual and community rights. This course will examine the legal institutions and practices of traditional First Nations cultures as well as contemporary practice.
This individualized reading course allows students to focus on a topic relevant to Indigenous peoples in Canada. Each student must make arrangements with an instructor in the First Nations Studies program. An application must be completed with approval from the Instructor and the Director. Applications are available in the First Nations Studies office.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in fourth year First Nations Studies with approval of the Director and a minimum 80% average.
Extra Information: Hours to be arranged with the Instructor.
An advanced seminar course combining in-class discussions of theoretical texts, research papers alongside community-based research. Students will be trained in appropriate methodologies and ethics of working with First Nations Communities. Areas of research and instruction may include land claims, self-government, education, health care, and urban issues.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in third or fourth year First Nations Studies with a minimum 70% average.
Extra Information: 3.0 hours seminar/field school (practicum).
This is an advanced community-based experiential course that combines in-class discussions with community based research. Students will train in methodologies and ethics of working with First Nations communities. Areas of research may include but not limited to ecological restoration, land claims, self-government, education, health and wellness and urban issues.
This advanced course examines the critical issues and tensions of doing research with and for Indigenous peoples.. Themes will include Indigenous methodologies (including but not limited to oral histories), and decolonizing research.
Prerequisite(s): Registration in any third or fourth year program.