Indigenous Knowledges Theme: iʔ sqilxʷ aʔ cmiy̓ t smypnwíɬnsəlx

Theme Overview

Degrees Offered: M.A., Ph.D.

The Indigenous Knowledges (IK) Theme focuses on approaches to research that train and support students to engage Indigenous communities with a particular focus on Indigenist approaches and the ongoing relevance of Indigenous Knowledge. For participating faculty see the Indigenous Knowledges Theme website.

The IK Theme offers two full-time, degree options: either a thesis or a capstone project pathway. For research interests of Theme faculty members, please consult the Indigenous Knowledges Theme website. 

Theme Admission Requirements

The overarching IGS requirements are the minimum standards required for admission to the theme. Indigenous students who bring their own Indigenous Knowledges, languages, and community experiences will be proactively considered, and preference will be given to applicants with lived experience of Indigenous communities undertaking research relevant to those communities. 

Prior to completing a formal UBC Okanagan, College of Graduate Studies application for graduate studies, applicants should first identify and contact a faculty member in the Indigenous Knowledges Theme with similar research interests in order to ascertain their potential interest in serving as the thesis research supervisor.

Refer to the Indigenous Knowledges Theme website for a list of potential supervisors.

Theme Requirements

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Indigenous Knowledges Theme

Thesis option:

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out by the College of Graduate Studies, students in the Indigenous Knowledges Thesis Theme must complete 30 credits for the M.A. as follows:

• a 12-credit Master’s Thesis (IGS 599)
• IGS 582;
• IGS 524;
• IGS 503;
• 9 credits of additional coursework selected by the student in consultation with and approval of their supervisor, of which no more than 6 credits can be at the 300/400-level, and none may be at the 100/200-level.

Capstone Project Pathway:

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate students set out by the College of Graduate Studies, students in the Indigenous Knowledges Capstone Project Pathway Theme must complete 30 credits for the M.A. as follows:

•    IGS 582;
•    IGS 524;
•    IGS 503;
•    15 credits of additional coursework selected by the student in consultation with, and approval of, their supervisor, of which no more than 6 credits can be at the    
     300/400-level, and none may be at the 100/200-level.
•    6 credits of IGS 597 (Capstone)¹

¹Students must complete IGS 597 with a minimum of 76% to pass the course.
 

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Interdisciplinary Studies, Indigenous Knowledges Theme

In addition to the general academic regulations for graduate studies set out by the College of Graduate Studies, the minimum requirements for students in the Indigenous Knowledges Theme for the Ph.D. are:

• IGS 582;
• IGS 524;
• IGS 503;
• 3 credits of additional coursework selected by the student in consultation with and approval of their supervisor;
• successful completion of comprehensive requirements; and
• successful defence of the doctoral dissertation IGS 699 (0) Doctoral Thesis.

Contact Information

Complete details regarding the Indigenous Knowledges theme are available on the IGS website, or by contacting the Theme Coordinator.

For current information, consult the Indigenous Knowledges Theme website.