Introduction to Global Indigenous Knowledge & Thought ((4 Credits))

Catalog description

This course introduces students to Indigenous philosophies, community paradigms, and teachings. Taking a global perspective, this course pays particular attention to Indigenous cultures in the Americas, Oceania (e.g. Australia or New Zealand), and Africa. Look at Indigenous cultures as the living homes of knowledge that may allow us to create a more sustainable and just world for everyone. The foundations of Indigenous Knowledge include origin and other traditional stories which carry worldviews, cosmology, and philosophy. By the end of this course, students will see how worldviews shape concepts of family, community, and governance. Students will learn about traditional modes of knowledge sharing, as well as selected Indigenous perspectives on plants and astronomy. Through these elements, students will become aware of the cultural and spiritual factors that shape Indigenous Knowledge and ways of knowing. The foundations of Indigenous Knowledge include origin and other traditional stories which carry worldviews, cosmology, and philosophy. We will see how worldviews shape concepts of family, community, and governance. We will learn about traditional modes of knowledge sharing, as well as selected Indigenous perspectives on plants and astronomy. Through these elements, students will become aware of the cultural and spiritual factors that shape Indigenous Knowledge and ways of knowing.