University of Winnipeg approves mandatory Indigenous course for all students

[taco.vidal]

http://globalnews.ca/news/2352776/un...-all-students/

WINNIPEG — The University of Winnipeg Senate has unanimously approved a new Indigenous Course Requirement (ICR) for all students before they graduate. The body responsible for UWinnipeg’s academic governance is mandating that all students will learn about Indigenous people, making it the first university in the country to do so.

The move had already been approved in principle, but the ICR approval will make Indegenous learning part of the undergraduate degree requirement for all new students, starting in fall of 2016.

Students may select from several of the 3 credit-hour courses that qualify for the ICR.

Good on them if that's what their stakeholders wanted. It might make a difference for a prospective students decision.

One other thing Ive noticed is how the terminology to describe the first residents of Canada has changed over the past few years: Indian -> Native -> First Nations -> Aboriginal -> Indigenous.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I mean, I guess that's good, in the sense that it can't hurt to learn more about basically anything. But it seems to me that this is better placed as a portion of a mandatory history or social studies class in high school than a mandatory course at a school you're paying for by the credit.

Frankly, if any course should be mandatory, I think it should be some sort of philosophy - teaching people how to rationally and objectively consider questions and form ideas. Though actually that one seems to me appropriate for high school as well.

[sharkov]

It would be good for students who want to work for a company such as Manitoba Hydro who have to work with aboriginal relations on a regular basis

[Johnny199r]

Winnipeg and Manitoba as a whole have some serious racism issues.

[Jacks]

No course should be mandatory in post secondary education. I have no objection to the course but it should be part of the social studies curriculum in high school.

[Tyler]

Utterly ridiculous

[troutman]

I had to take French at Western.

This could have something to do with the Macleans cover story about racism in Winnipeg?

I would happily take courses about Native history. Maybe it should be mandatory in high school, but an elective at university.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by taco.vidal

Good on them if that's what their stakeholders wanted. It might make a difference for a prospective students decision.

A prospective student that chooses a university based on a single required class over four years isn't much of a prospect.

[worth]

I think if more Canadians were educated on Aboriginal issues, we would have a lot less problems overall and might find a common ground to build a better relationship going forward.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I mean, I guess that's good, in the sense that it can't hurt to learn more about basically anything. But it seems to me that this is better placed as a portion of a mandatory history or social studies class in high school than a mandatory course at a school you're paying for by the credit.

Frankly, if any course should be mandatory, I think it should be some sort of philosophy - teaching people how to rationally and objectively consider questions and form ideas. Though actually that one seems to me appropriate for high school as well.

Mandatory empathy classes would be nice, too.

Honestly, this doesn't hurt anyone and probably will help with some of the discourse moving forward. Considering that something like 60% of my degree is electives, there's really no reason why this should be all that difficult.

[TurdFerguson]

If anything, this belongs in k-12 school. Mandatory classes at the post-secondary level is stange.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Mandatory empathy classes would be nice, too.

I have no idea what this means. But eh, while we're on the subject...

http://bostonreview.net/forum/paul-b...gainst-empathy

[wwkayaker]

I think this is nonsense. I don't have any facts or studies to back up my opinion. That being said, I think university educated individuals have a higher level of understanding, respect, empathy... for other cultures. By creating a mandatory course, I don't think society will see a major shift in values.

[Flash Walken]

Lots of classes are mandatory in post secondary.

Think of this as prerequisite to graduation. It is as arbitrary as needing two English 100 level credits to graduate.

[Ducay]

Better be free

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I have no idea what this means. But eh, while we're on the subject...

http://bostonreview.net/forum/paul-b...gainst-empathy

I think you take the internet too seriously.

EDIT: Or maybe my self-deprecation is too subtle.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by wwkayaker

That being said, I think university educated individuals have a higher level of understanding, respect, empathy... for other cultures.

Engineers and MBAs notwithstanding.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

I wasn't kidding, I have no clue what an empathy class would actually entail.

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

I wasn't kidding, I have no clue what an empathy class would actually entail.

Yeah, but I was.

[CorsiHockeyLeague]

Oh. Well, it seemed like the sort of thing you might seriously suggest; I think that was where I got confused.