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Indigenous Studies (INST) 112

Introductory Cree II

INST 112 course cover

Delivery Mode: Grouped study

Credits: 3

Area of Study: Humanities

Prerequisite: INST 111. A senior-level high school Cree course is an acceptable equivalent.

Precluded Course: INST 112 may not be taken for credit if credit has already been obtained for NTST 112.

Centre: Centre for World Indigenous Knowledge and Research

INST 112 is not available for challenge.

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Overview

INST 112 continues the introduction to Plains Cree (Y dialect) grammar and vocabulary with practise in speaking and working in the language laboratory. The course prepares students for INST 211/212, the first-year university Cree course.

Objectives

Upon completion of INST 112, students will be able to comprehend simple written sentences, converse with relative ease, read with a moderate ability in the Roman orthography, and feel comfortable with a substantial vocabulary. Students will have a basic understanding of Cree culture and protocol, and some exposure to Cree syllabics. The course will increase the students' understanding of the Y dialect with a growing vocabulary, and will increase the students' fluency in spoken Cree.

Outline

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

Week 1: Overview of course, oral tradition and protocols, Cree sounds, introduction to syllabics

Week 2: Oral presentations, grammar, greetings, pronouns, verbs, root words

Week 3: Conjugating verbs, common expressions, colours, description, verbs, kinship terms

Week 4: Presentation by an elder, traditions, discussion

Week 5: Cultural knowledge, oral presentations, discussion, project proposals due

Week 6: Geography, weather, history: do Indian map, describe land

Week 7: Food and preparation, oral presentations, calendar

Week 8: Presentation by an elder, feast protocols, discussion

Week 9: Health, spiritual, oral presentations

Week 10: Traditional Cree teachings, discussion, oral presentations

Week 11: Literature, arts, crafts, dances, oral presentations

Week 12: Review

Week 13: Class project due, course evaluation

Evaluation

To receive credit for INST 112, you must attend the class and laboratory regularly. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:

Assignments/Quizzes 25%
Oral Presentation 10%
Mid-term Exam 20%
Class Project 10%
Participation/ Language Lab 5%
Final Exam 30%
Total 100%

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

Course Materials

Textbooks

Hunter, Emily, Betty Karpinski, and Jean Mulder. 1994. Introductory Cree Part I, Rev. ed. Edmonton: School of Native Studies, University of Alberta.

Hunter, Emily, and Betty Karpinski. 1994. Introductory Cree Part II, Rev. ed. Edmonton: School of Native Studies, University of Alberta.

Plains Cree Glossary

Other materials

The course materials include language laboratory tapes for each unit. You are encouraged to obtain Cree Language Structures: A Cree Approach, by Freda Ahenakew (Winnipeg, Pemmican Publishers, 1987).

Athabasca University reserves the right to amend course outlines occasionally and without notice. Courses offered by other delivery methods may vary from their individualized-study counterparts.

Last updated by SAS  11/24/2011 09:15:24