New requirements for English majors
All learners in the English major and English concentration at Athabasca University will now take 3 senior-level credits in Indigenous literature.
The changes was made in response to the Calls to Action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.
English 308: Indigenous Literature in Canada fills this requirement. It begins with the origins of Indigenous literature in the oral tradition and leads to contemporary Indigenous writing in English. This course is designed to provide learners with the basis for a deeper understanding of the literature of Indigenous nations in Canada and progresses from orature—stories from the oral tradition—through written poems, stories, drama, and to two novels.
For example, students will study The Break, the award-winning novel by Katherena Vermette, who is currently serving as AU’s Writer in Residence.
We also invite students from beyond the English major to register for Indigenous literature in order to expand their understanding of Indigenous narratives and cultures.
To learn more about Athabasca University’s English program, visit the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences website.
