University of Winnipeg approves mandatory Indigenous course for all students

[rubecube]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

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

Yeah, I was making fun of myself. It's not as funny now that I look back at it. Oh well.

[Northendzone]

Originally Posted by 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.

Seems sad to think that people need a course in what should be basic human decency/respect

[wwkayaker]

Originally Posted by 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.

True, there are mandatory courses dependent upon the major. Calculus is important to a science degree whereas indigenous studies doesn't carry the same impact.

In terms of English credits, I don't think you can equate a higher level understanding of English to that of a culture.

[Peanut]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Engineers and MBAs notwithstanding.

[driveway]

This is a good idea. At least one Minority Studies class should absolutely be required to graduate from any post-secondary program.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by wwkayaker

True, there are mandatory courses dependent upon the major. Calculus is important to a science degree whereas indigenous studies doesn't carry the same impact.

In terms of English credits, I don't think you can equate a higher level understanding of English to that of a culture.

There's lots of mandatory courses though outside of a major too.

U of S for an arts and science degree you needed two humanities, two social science, and 2 hard science classes regardless of what major you were taking this just adds one more class to the list. And I would hope that you would have options like a history class, a poly si class, a philosophy class with indigenous themes as options

Think we should do a better job at the secondary level but good on the institution for changing things it can change.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by driveway

This is a good idea. At least one Minority Studies class should absolutely be required to graduate from any post-secondary program.

Why?

I can see the argument for high school (I actually agree with that) but I know if I was a university student, I wouldn't want to be forced to pay money to take courses that don't interest me or aren't actual prerequisites.

What happens if you fail the course? Do they make you take it again?

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Why?

I can see the argument for high school (I actually agree with that) but I know if I was a university student, I wouldn't want to be forced to pay money to take courses that don't interest me or aren't actual prerequisites.

What happens if you fail the course? Do they make you take it again?

It's part of the university philosophy that you are supposed to come out with a broadbased education and not just a specific ability like a vocational school. At every university you end up forced to take courses in a variety of fields unrelated to your degree.

[Fire of the Phoenix]

Originally Posted by GGG

It's part of the university philosophy that you are supposed to come out with a broadbased education and not just a specific ability like a vocational school. At every university you end up forced to take courses in a variety of fields unrelated to your degree.

Why this specific course though? Does any other university force students to take it or is this unique to the University of Winnipeg?

Does the University of Calgary or the University of Alberta, for instance, force students to take specific classes like this one when other universities don't?

Honestly curious how varied these mandatory electives are from university to university.

[V]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Engineers and MBAs notwithstanding.

Hey, what the hell???!?

[taco.vidal]

Originally Posted by V

Hey, what the hell???!?

V., P. Eng., MBA

[chemgear]

Originally Posted by rubecube

Engineers and MBAs notwithstanding.

[V]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

Why this specific course though? Does any other university force students to take it or is this unique to the University of Winnipeg?

Does the University of Calgary or the University of Alberta, for instance, force students to take specific classes like this one when other universities don't?

Honestly curious how varied these mandatory electives are from university to university.

When I got my Engineering degree I was forced to take electives from a bunch of subjects, but I couldn't just take anything I wanted. I don't see how this has changed, other than the fact that one of the electives would have to be from the ICR stream. They aren't forcing you to take one specific course.

[GGG]

Making an indigenous studies class is a little more specific then many of the requirements like all degrees need to take a language class, a social science, a hard science.

However engineering you had to take an ethics class, an English class, and one of 3 science electives.

So this requirement wouldn't look odd in the university calendar though I think it's unique to Manitoba

[calgarygeologist]

Yes, they expect you to broaden your horizons outside your field but they don't force you to take any specific courses. When I was doing my Geology degree I loaded up on Economics courses for my social sciences (or whatever it was.) Economics was the only thing that really interested me and that I wanted to learn more about. I actually ended up with enough credits and courses for a minor in Economics. Similarly, for humanities someone can take Spanish or Movie Studies or courses about the Beatles instead of something dreadful like women's studies.

[driveway]

Women's studies is way more interesting and fun than film studies.

Source: I have minors in both.

[Matata]

lol at engg students, their one fun class is now gone and replaced with a topic in a field most of them can't even begin to care about.

Calculus, materials, chemistry, physics, numerical methods, indigenous studies. Enjoy your semester!

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by CorsiHockeyLeague

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.

I've long thought that's the biggest deficiency in our education system. How to identify rhetorical fallacies. Understanding cognitive bias. Getting at truth through relentless criticism and a contest of ideas rooted in logic. There's no reason the socratic method of debate should be confined to law schools. This sort of thing used to be a standard element of education.

However, the notion that reason can be employed to bring us close to objective truth runs afoul of the post-modern and relativist ideologies that have come to dominate whole fields of academia. Not to mention how uncomfortable most students today would feel having every belief or argument subjected to the hammer and tongs of rational analysis. It would make some people feel bad, and we can't have that.

But the biggest problem might be in finding enough instructors for such a course. Sad to see a cornerstone of Western thought and the Enlightenment fall into obscurity, like learning to play the violin.

[GGG]

Originally Posted by Matata

lol at engg students, their one fun class is now gone and replaced with a topic in a field most of them can't even begin to care about.

Calculus, materials, chemistry, physics, numerical methods, indigenous studies. Enjoy your semester!

For eng students in oil and gas a course on land rights and cultural artifacts would be very useful for many who will come across community outreach and stakeholder objections. At least as useful as that VLSI design course I took.

[adc]

Seems like a basic finance course would have a lot more benefit although probably something else that should be taught at the high school level.

I remember the liberal arts requirements at my university and for the most part people tried to find the easiest courses they could, cruised through them with little thought and moved back to what interested them. Obviously there were some that used them as they were designed to get a broader range of education.

I guess the argument would be "if it changes one persons mind" it will be worth it but my guess is for the most part people will do the minimum to get through and not really care much about the subject matter.

I would prefer a general Canadian History course be used instead as I don't think Indian history is more important than the countries history overall.