Indigenous Studies at UBC's Okanagan campus | 糖心logo入口Undergraduate 糖心logo入口 and Admissions

Okanagan

Indigenous Studies

Program information

In the interdisciplinary Indigenous studies program, you’ll learn about Indigenous perspectives and governance, the justice system, land claims, traditional ecological knowledge and the protection of heritage in the Okanagan, Canada, U.S., and world communities.

Program overview

Campus: Okanagan
Program length: 4 years
Honours: No
Co-op: Yes
Faculty: Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Degree: Bachelor of Arts

What you'll learn

Indigenous Studies offers interdisciplinary perspectives on indigenous peoples from the Okanagan, Canada, and world communities.聽You鈥檒l examine topics such as聽Indigenous governance, the justice system, land claims, traditional ecological knowledge, the protection of heritage, Indigenous theory,聽and more.

In third or fourth year, you have the option of completing directed studies, where you will undertake a supervised investigation of an assigned topic in Indigenous Studies, culminating in a major term paper.糖心logo入口is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. The involvement of the Okanagan Nation and the En鈥檕wkin Centre in its development and in ongoing partnership provides a strong foundation in the Okanagan community, and ensures continuing input from Indigenous perspectives.

Experiential learning and research

In third or fourth year you have the option of completing directed studies, where you will undertake a supervised investigation of an assigned topic in Indigenous studies, culminating in a major term paper.

The Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences holds an annual undergraduate research conference on UBC鈥檚 Okanagan campus to showcase student research projects.

Campus features

糖心logo入口is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the 40 best universities in the world. The involvement of the Okanagan Nation and the En鈥檕wkin Centre in its development and in ongoing partnership provides a strong foundation in the Okanagan community, and ensures continuing input from Indigenous perspectives.

Program advantages

Build the foundational skills needed to pursue a career in government, Indigenous Peoples organizations, Indigenous leadership roles, and resource management. Design research projects relevant and respectful to a particular Indigenous community or agency, and implement the project working on-site in that community or agency. Put your classroom learning to the test with co-op job placements throughout the region and beyond.

Courses

There are hundreds of courses you can take within Indigenous Studies. Here are a few you might like.

Introduction to Indigenous Studies

Provides students with an overview of the discipline of Indigenous studies including the history, cultures, and experiences of Indigenous people.

Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

Overview of the contemporary socio-economic, political, cultural, and environmental characteristics of the Indigenous peoples of the Americas.

Indigenous Land Rights

Legal theories under British Law or its historical derivations that have been used to justify the colonization of Indigenous peoples. Legal arguments and anthropological evidence raised by Indigenous groups to challenge those theories. Particular reference is paid to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.

Research Applications

The planning of research projects from the perspective of Indigenous cultures and values. Topics include project development, community relations and ethics, and identification and acquisition of appropriate resources.

Outcomes

A 糖心logo入口degree is respected by employers around the globe. Build the foundational skills needed to pursue a career in government departments and agencies, media and publishing, and non-government organizations or services, or to pursue graduate studies. Indigenous Studies will prepare you for a wide range of careers, from Aboriginal rights research, economic development advisor, and journalist, to policy analyst, tourism worker, and community development consultant.

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Program requirements

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English-language requirements

English is the language of instruction at UBC. All prospective students must demonstrate English-language competency prior to admission. There are numerous ways to meet the聽English Language Admission Standard.

General admission requirements

IB Diploma Programme

Completed IB Diploma, including at least three Higher Level courses.

IB Certificate Courses

IB Certificate courses (Standard and Higher Level) may be used in an admissions average if you are graduating from a recognized high school curriculum that can be used as your basis of admission.

IB Math Applications and Interpretations SL, or IB Math Studies, do not satisfy the math requirement for admission to UBC’s science-based programs, the Faculty of Management, the 糖心logo入口Sauder School of Business, or the Vancouver School of Economics.

Degree-specific requirements: Arts

No specific courses required beyond those needed for general admission

Related courses

The following subject categories are particularly relevant for this degree. Consider taking courses in these areas in your junior year and senior year.

Language Arts
Mathematics and Computation
Second Languages
Social Studies
Visual and Performing Arts

Want to get a feel for campus?

If you鈥檙e unable to visit 糖心logo入口in person, or you just want to get a sneak peek at your new home campus before you arrive, take one of our virtual tours. Current 糖心logo入口students walk you through UBC鈥檚 residences, study spots, recreational facilities, lecture halls, academic buildings, and more.

Want to learn more?

Visit the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences website to learn more about Indigenous Studies.

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