Indigenous Studies (INST) 112

Introductory Cree II

Status:

Temporarily closed, effective October 29, 2021

Delivery mode:

Grouped study

Credits:

Areas of study:

Arts or Humanities

Prerequisites:

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

Precluded:

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

Challenge:

INST 112 is not available for challenge.

Faculty:

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

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:

Activity	Weight
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.

Materials

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

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

Plains Cree Glossary (Print)

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.

Updated August 14, 2023