Associate of Arts Aboriginal Studies

Associate Degree
Type
Length
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Courses

Required courses

ABST-100
Yinka Dene Worldview
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
History and Traditions of the Carrier People. This course is based on the traditional knowledge holders of our communities who are versed in the traditional ways of knowing that is not written down in any text but passed down through oral traditions. The course provides students with an in-depth study of Yinka Dene culture, language, spirituality, community, and social structures. Elders and topics will focus on the Yinka Dene of the north central interior of British Columbia.
ABST-101
Aboriginal Peoples of Canada
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Recommended: ABST-100 minimum C
Description
This course focuses on the diversity and development of Aboriginal communities and organizations in Canada. Attention is placed on the nature of Aboriginal/Euro-Canadian interactions from contact to present day in order for students to understand contemporary perspectives and issues relevant to Aboriginal peoples
ANTH-101
Cultural Anthropology
Typical Offerings
Timing All Terms, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Recommended Pre-Requisite: ENGL-103 minimum grade C.
Description
Cultural anthropologists examine social patterns and practices across cultures, with a special interest in how people live in particular places and create meaning. The goal of this course is to examine the diversity of existing human cultures as well as provide students with a basic understanding of the fundamental concepts used by cultural anthropologists. Topics include research methods, economic systems, marriage, kinship, political systems, expressive culture, religion, illness, and gender. Examples will be drawn from a variety of Indigenous cultures.
ANTH-102
Uncovering Our Origins
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Recommended Pre-Requisite: ENGL-103 minimum grade C
Description
This course provides a broad introduction to the field of Archaeology and Physical Anthropology as sub-fields of Anthropology. During this course students will examine topics such as: evolutionary theory; living primates and primate evolution; hominid evolution; archaic and modern Homo sapiens; the dispersal of the Genus Homo throughout the world; human variation; the origins of food production; settled life; and the emergence of cities and states. Examples will be drawn from different cultures to explore these topics.
ENGL-103
Composition & Style
Typical Offerings
Timing All Terms, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
A study of grammar, composition, and style. A vigorous program of essay-writing plus a variety of writing assignments or exercises dealing with specific problems in essay-writing. Strongly recommended for students who wish to improve their writing skills.
HIST-103
History of Canada to 1867
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
A survey of the interwoven social, economic, cultural, and political developments between Indigenous peoples and European settlers that culminated with the establishment of Canada in 1867. Topics include First Nations-European relations, early exploration, imperial rivalries, political reform, social conflict, and the road to Confederation.
HIST-104
History of Canada From 1867
Typical Offerings
Timing Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
This course surveys the social, political and economic developments of the newly formed nation - The Dominion of Canada. It covers a period beginning with Confederation in 1867 and ending at the turn of the 21st century. Topics include factors that caused the birth of the nation, French-English relations, colonial-imperial relations, Canadian-American relations, and Indigenous-Newcomer relations.
ENGL-107
Aboriginal Literature
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall/Spring Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
Description
This course surveys Aboriginal literature. Students assess traditional tales from an oral storytelling tradition, as well as poems, plays, and short stories by contemporary writers. As well, students learn effective composition skills and the techniques of literary analysis.
ABST-150
Conversational Carrier
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Required Supporting Lab: ABST-150L
Description
This course is designed for students who have no knowledge of the Carrier/Yinka Dene language. Participants are introduced to the Carrier language, spoken and written, with an emphasis on basic conversation and culturally important vocabulary and phrases. Through lecture and lab work, participants will have an understanding of basic level Carrier and be able to create simple sentences.
ABST-220
Indigenous Research Methods
Typical Offerings
Timing Fall Only, Every Year
Locations
Requisites
  • Prerequisite: ABST-100 or ABST 101 minimum C
Description
This course provides an introduction into research methods used in and by Indigenous communities in the movement towards the decolonization of the western model of research. Aboriginal research frameworks and methodologies will be explored by examining some of the unique issues and principals involving ethical research in Indigenous communities. Students are provided an opportunity to prepare a small research project using the techniques learned in class.

200 Level ARTS - Humanities or Social Sciences (Not ABST)

200 Level ABST courses

Math, Computing Science or Statistics

Lab Science with minimum 2 hour lab

Science

Electives Arts, Sciences that transfer to SFU UBC UNBC UVIC

Entry Requirements

While it wasn’t always easy combining classroom time and field trips on top of the hours for studying and homework, it’s been great to gain so much hands-on experience during the courses.

Michelle Lindemann
Civil Engineering Technology

I like the problem-solving nature of millwrighting. I love how diverse the trade is. There’s always something new and different to work on.

Dusty Cathcart 2026
Vanderhoof Industrial Mechanic

This program gives you the ability to have a lot of hands-on time in the clinic where you can practice the skills you are learning and get a bit of an idea of what it is like to be a dental assistant.

Jordyn Karl
Dental Assistant Certificate Student

Taking this program is one of the most exciting things I could've done. It helped me grow into a professional, while also growing personally. I have carried my knowledge forward and will always hold the program and faculty close to my heart.

Janessa Sigurdson 2025
Accounting and Finance

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