COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Indigenous Studies at UVic is designed to provide students with a broad and respectful understanding of Indigenous peoples, knowledges and lived experiences, both in Canada and globally. The program emphasizes experiential learning, land-based education, the arts and critical theory, encouraging students to engage with Indigenous perspectives in meaningful and applied ways. In the first and second years, students build foundational knowledge through core courses such as IS101 Indigenous Foundations and IS201 Introduction to Indigenous Studies, along with electives drawn from related disciplines like anthropology, political science, linguistics, geography, sociology and gender studies. This interdisciplinary approach ensures students gain a well-rounded understanding of Indigenous issues across historical, social, political and cultural contexts. In upper years, students progress into more specialized and practice-oriented courses including community-based cultural production, critical Indigenous theory, research ethics and field-based learning. A key feature of the program is its requirement that students complete upper-level coursework across four breadth areas: arts and languages, histories and politics, education and healing, and community and land-based learning, ensuring balanced academic and experiential exposure. The program also includes opportunities for community engagement and applied research, helping students develop ethical research practices and intercultural understanding. Graduates are prepared for careers in education, public service, community development, policy, advocacy and research, with a strong foundation in Indigenous knowledge systems and respectful collaboration.