Indigenous Studies (INST) 111

Overview

INST 111 is designed for students with no previous knowledge of the Cree language. The course introduces students to the Plains Cree (Y dialect) grammar and vocabulary, and provides the opportunity to practise speaking Cree and working in the language laboratory.

Outline

Each week vocabulary, grammar, and context for various topics are introduced and practised.

Week 1: Overview of course, Native language family groups, language spoken in Alberta, oral tradition and protocols, standard Roman orthography, Cree sounds and syllabics

Week 2: Introduction to verbs and tense, diminutive plurals, locatives and prepositions, Cree sound system, non-gender terminology, animate and inanimate

Week 3: Common expressions, personal pronouns, nouns, Cree word structure

Week 4: Cree word order, continuation of nouns and pronouns

Week 5: Review

Week 6: Traditions, cultural knowledge, Cree sayings, commands, verb agreement

Week 7: Agreement of adjectives with nouns, and geography discussion

Week 8: Question marker “ci,” interrogative “e” conjunct, oral presentations

Week 9: Comparatives and superlatives, body parts, location markers and dwelling markers

Week 10: Cree numerical system and money

Week 11: Socio-linguistic definition, Cree dialects, kinship terminology, calendar

Week 12: Feast protocols, traditional Cree teachings and storytelling, review

Week 13: Class project due, final examination, course evaluation

Evaluation

To receive credit for INST 111, you must attend the class and laboratory regularly. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Assignments/ Quizzes	20%
Oral Presentation	10%
Mid-term Exam	20%
Class Project	10%
Participation/ Language Lab	10%
Final Exam	30%
Total	100%

To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University's online Calendar.