Course Description
This course examines crime, deviance, and victimization of Indigenous persons and subsequent community and system responses. A critical examination of relevant theory practice will analyze the effects of colonialism both historically and contemporarily. The critical role of the justice system is included. Culturally relevant healing programs and justice initiatives along with community reactions and responses will be examined.
Learning Activities
The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following:
- lectures
- oral presentations
- audio visual materials including films
- small group discussions
- research projects
- research papers
Means of Assessment
Evaluation will be carried out in accordance with Douglas College policy. The instructor will provide a course outline with specific evaluation criteria at the beginning of the semester. Evaluation will be based on some of the following:
- Examinations
- Oral Presentation
- Research Project/ Term Paper
- Class Participation and Attendance
An example of one possible evaluation scheme would be:
| Midterm exam |
30% |
| Final exam |
30% |
| Research paper |
30% |
| Seminar attendance & participation |
10% |
| Total |
100% |
Learning Outcomes
The primary objective of this course is to examine crime, deviance, and victimization of Indigenous peoples along with subsequent community and system responses.
At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will be able to:
- Critically analyse the nature and extent of criminality and victimization of Indigenous persons in Canada, with a focus on over representation in the criminal justice system.
- Apply, through critical analysis, specific concepts and theoretical perspectives to explain the nature and extent of crime, deviance and victimization of Indigenous persons in Canada.
- Explain, through critical analysis, the role of criminal justice agents.
- Critically analyse several Indigenous healing programs, justice initiatives, and community responses.
Textbook Materials
Texts and custom course materials, including journal articles will be compiled and required by the instructor. These will be updated periodically by the instructor. Texts could include the following:
Forever Loved. Exposing the Hidden Crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in Canada, (2016), ed by D. Memee Lavell-Harvard and Jennifer Brant, Bradford: Demeter Press.
Resistance and Renewal: Surviving the Indian Residential School, (1998), by Celia Haig Brown, Vancouver: Arsenal Pulp Press.
Returning to the Teachings, Exploring Aboriginal Justice, (2006), by Rupert Ross, Toronto: Penguin Books.
Seven Fallen Feathers. Racism, Death and Truths in a Northern City, (2017), by Tanya Talaga, Toronto: House of Anansi Press Inc.
A Knock on the Door. Essential History of Residential Schools from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, (2015), by Phil Fontaine, Aimee Craft, and The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action, (2015), by The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, Winnipeg: University of Manitoba Press.