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Course Description

This microcredential examines representations of Indigenous peoples in mainstream media, pop culture, and social discourse. These lectures connect how settlers have portrayed Indigenous peoples: as exotic, savage, noble, disappearing, etc. with the real world impacts of those portrayals - including violence against Indigenous women, psychological harm, appropriation, and the justification of ongoing settler colonialism. Each lecture further explores how Indigenous creators, scholars, and activists are pushing back against stereotypical representations, and how students can support this work and/or make interventions of their own. Prerequisite: EXNS 2805.

Who Should Take This Course?

Beginner level

Learner Outcomes

  • Make connections between the dispossession of land and stereotypical representations of Indigenous peoples.
  • Understand the role of popular media in perpetuating stereotypes of Indigenous peoples.
  • Begin to explore how heteropatriarchal gender norms work in conjunction with settler colonialism.
  • Learn and apply visual and discourse analysis skills to unpack colonial narratives in the media.
  • Start to bring together concepts, myths, and stereotypes to disrupt stereotypical representations of Indigenous peoples.
  • Engage with Indigenous peoples’ responses to stereotypical representations in writing, art, and activism.

Course / Module Outline

  • “What’s the problem with Pocahontas?” Colonial Stereotypes of Indigenous Women
  • “NDNs On the Screen”: Colonial Myths in Settler Films - Indigenous Futurisms and Indigenous Science Fiction
  • The Stereotypes of the ‘Mystical Shaman’ and ‘Steward of the Land’
  • “But Don’t Mascots Honour Indigenous Peoples?” Possession and Authenticity

Notes

Academic Lead:

Dr. Tasha Hubbard  

Course creators and instructors:

Molly Swain

Sara Howdle

Dr. Savage Bear 

Recommendations

Textbooks

All material is available online and no textbooks are required.

Record of Completion

Printable certificate; non-credit transcript; digital badge

Alumni Professional Development Grants help University of Alberta alumni achieve their career growth goals by removing financial barriers to high-quality, meaningful career education and personal growth opportunities offered by the UAlberta and its partners. Apply here.

CONTACT US

Email nsonline@ualberta.ca with any questions.

Testimonials

"I found that I did not know a lot and believed some of the stereotypes." - Anonymous

 

Applies Towards the Following Programs

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Enroll Now - Select a section to enroll in
Section Title
Representations: Application and Collaboration
Language of Delivery
English
Type
Online - Asynchronous
Dates
Sep 10, 2024 to Dec 10, 2024
Delivery Options
Online - Asynchronous  
Course Fee(s)
Tuition Taxable non-credit $349.00
Drop Request Deadline
Sep 10, 2024
Transfer Request Deadline
Sep 06, 2024
Withdrawal Request Deadline
Sep 10, 2024 to Dec 10, 2024
Reading List / Textbook
All readings are available online through the Libraries.
Required fields are indicated by .