2026-2027 Course Offerings

FALL 2026

UIC-1001 (3) Introduction to Urban and Inner-City Studies (3 hrs Lecture)

The course provides an overview of the dynamics that drive a city's growth and that produce change over time. It considers the social impact of urban change, with particular emphasis on the interconnectedness of the different parts of the city and on the impact of urban change on the inner city. It examines how these changes shape city politics, looking at the political interests and problems associated with the commercial core, older residential neighborhoods near the centre, and burgeoning suburban and exurban areas. It also examines how the three levels of government are involved in shaping and responding to these changes.

UIC-1010 (3) Indigenous Ways of Knowing (3 hrs Seminar/Discussion)

Large numbers of Indigenous peoples settling in Winnipeg, and in core neighbourhoods, suggest that students studying urbanism need to be aware that the city and critical issues in the inner city can be interpreted differently. This course offers an introduction to Indigenous ways of knowing through active participation in strategies that facilitate the production of Indigenous knowledge and through comparisons with Euro-American ways of knowing. By taking part in basic ceremony and related practices, students gain an understanding of how First Peoples of Manitoba relate to each other, to the land, to other animals, and to the world. Cross-listed: IS-1010(3). Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and IS-1010.

UIC-2001 (3) Community Development (3 hrs Lecture)

This course is an introduction to the idea of community development and community economic development. The course considers the principles and philosophy of community development/community economic development, and examines the key elements of CD/CED including neighborhood revitalization,housing development and rehabilitation, employment development and training, and social enterprise. Cross-listed: IS-2301(3). Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and IS-2301.

UIC-2020 (3) Colonization and Indigenous Peoples (3 hrs Lecture)

This course examines the Indigenous colonial experience, particularly in Western Canada, and the impact colonization has had and continues to have on the relationship between Indigenous peoples and Canadian governments. This course emphasizes the contemporary effects of colonization, particularly as regards identity issues and how they play out in the urban and inner-city environment, and also processes and strategies for decolonization. Cross-listed: POL-2020(3) and IS-2020(3). Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and IS-2020 | POL-2020.

UIC-2210 (3) Introduction to Community Advocacy (1 hrs Lecture | 2 hrs Seminar/Discussion)

The Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s and the War on Poverty that followed gave rise to a North American advocacy movement. With growing concern that people living in poverty required representation to fully assert their rights, storefront law offices opened in impoverished neighbourhoods and Canada's Legal Aid program was developed. This course examines the history and forms of advocacy from individual to public interest, and different models for providing advocacy services. It explores the role that advocacy plays in influencing public policy, particularly with respect to various social and benefit entitlement programs aimed at responding to urban poverty.

UIC-3020 (3) Women and the Inner City (3 hrs Lecture/Seminar)

This course explores a number of issues specific to women living in the inner city. We examine the economic, political, and social conditions that influence the lives of diverse populations of women living in the inner city and the various issues and problems associated with their positioning. Within this larger context, special attention is paid to the specific issues and problems related to the experience of urban Indigenous women, new immigrant women, underemployed women and street-involved women. Cross-listed: WGS-3020(3). Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and WGS-3020.

UIC-3030 (3) Urban and Community Planning (3 hrs Lecture)

Urban planning shapes the city spaces where we live, work, and play, and affects the well-being of all urban dwellers. Students critically examine planning history, theory, and practice in local context, with anbemphasis on
understanding values, power, and process. Students explore planning at city and neighbourhood scales through
assignments, activities, and field trips that highlight current issues and planning strategies for equity and transformation. Topics may include community leadership and participation in planning, Indigenous urban planning,
planning as social control, and planning for sustainable and equitable cities. Requisite Courses: UIC-1001 or UIC-2001 or GEOG-1105 or the previous GEOG-1103, or permission of the instructor

UIC-3036 (3) History of Winnipeg's Inner City (3 hrs Lecture)

Students analyze, critique, and build on Winnipeg's rich history of inner-city resistance. Students investigate the historical function of the term "inner city" as a coalition-building movement intended to unite people in resistance to suburban sprawl and political neglect. Students trace how conditions in the inner city were produced not simply by top-down processes such as globalization and neoliberalism, but through local efforts to mediate them. Students read inner-city activism in Winnipeg as a distinct epistemological tradition and body of urban theory. Topics include the Inner City Committee for Rail Relocation, Core Area Initiative, Inner City Voice, and Community Inquiry Into Inner City Revitalization.

WINTER 2027

UIC-1001 (3) Introduction to Urban and Inner-City Studies (3 hrs Lecture)

UIC-2010 (3) Metis Identity, Culture and Rights (3 hrs Lecture)

In this course, students undertake an historical overview of Métis origins, culture, and overnance. Students explore the role that the Métis played in Manitoba's confederation, and other efforts to secure rights - including resisting Canadian expansion during the North-West Resistance (1885). Students learn about Métis dispossession from land, experiences in day and residential schools, and ongoing Métis selfdetermination. Students also discuss contemporary issues faced by the Métis including important court cases, the phenomenon of raceshifting, land claims and restoration of the Métis homeland. Students gain a better understanding of the Métis Nation with a particular focus on the Manitoba Métis community. Restriction: Students who have credit for UIC-3100, Issues in Urban and Inner-City Studies, when the topic was Métis Identity, Culture and Rights cannot take this course for credit. Students who hold credit for HIST-3525 or 3625 require permission from the instructor.

UIC-2020 (3) Colonization and Indigenous Peoples (3 hrs Lecture)

UIC-2220 (3) Urban Poverty and Policy (1 hrs Lecture | 2 hrs Seminar/Discussion)

Urban poverty is a growing problem throughout the world, including Canada. It is affected by a wide range of policies. This course examines urban poverty through the lens of these various policies, considering their origins, impact, adequacy and ideological character.

UIC-3010 (3) Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer & Indigenous LGBTQ Realities(3 hrs Seminar/Discussion)

This course examines Two-Spirit, Indigiqueer, and Indigenous LGBTQ identities, realities, and selected issues. Among other topics, we explore Indigenous conceptions of gender and sexuality, colonial impacts upon Indigenous gender and sexual diversity, relationships between queer Indigenous community and the mainstream LGBTQ community, as well as Two-Spirit resurgence and self-determination especially in an urban context. Students learn to identify characteristics of nation-specific Indigenous concepts of gender and sexuality as well as ongoing colonial impacts. Cross-listed: IS-3011
Students who successfully complete this course receive credit as indicated.
Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and IS-301

UIC-3060 (3) Confronting Racism in the Inner City (3 hrs Lecture)

This course helps students understand what racism is, how it's expressed in Winnipeg's inner city and what factors contribute to its existence. The course provides practical tools for confronting racism, awareness and skill-building around dealing with internalized racism, and guidelines to becoming an ally with those experiencing the brunt of oppression that racism creates. The course emphasizes student participation and discussion and in-depth analysis of ideologies that underlie race-based practices, specifically with respect to Indigenous populations. Restriction: Students who have credit for UIC-3100 when the topic was Confronting Racism cannot take this course for credit.

UIC-3210 (3) Community Organizing for Social Justice (3 hrs Seminar/Discussion)

This course examines a range of strategies for promoting change in urban settings. Students study theories and historical examples of various kinds of social justice-focused community organizing. Local, national and international cases are examined. Examples may include, but are not limited to: neighbourhood-level organizing; feminist approaches to organizing; youth-led organizing, Indigenous models of organizing; forms of civil disobedience; policy advocacy and lobbying; and the use of the media in community organizing. Cross-listed: IDS-3210(3). Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and IDS-3210.

UIC-3220 (6) Community Development and Advocacy Practicum (3 hrs Apprenticeship/Internship/Practicum | 3 hrs Lecture)

This experiential learning course provides students an opportunity to put advocacy theories into practice through an internship with a community-based organization. Prior to the beginning of the course, the instructor works with students to identify a placement aligned with their specific advocacy interests and acts as a liaison between the placement supervisor and students. In addition to attending an internship one day (6 hrs.) per week, students participate in a monthly seminar led by the instructor. Students write reflection papers on their workplace experiences in relation to advocacy theories and prepare a final paper and class presentation. Restriction: Students may not hold credit for this course and UIC-3001(6). Requisite Courses: UIC-2210 [prerequisite(s)].

UIC-3240 (3) Poverty and the Law (3 hrs Lecture)

This course focuses on poverty law as it affects the individual and the community. It offers the student insight into the legal and administrative regimes governing the lives of persons of low or modest income. From the theoretical and practical perspective, it explains how certain laws may act as barriers to the full participation of disadvantaged persons in a free and democratic society. Finally, the course examines how the law can be used to advance the interests of persons of low and modest incomes. Note: This course was formerly numbered UIC-3040 and had the same subject material. Restrictions: Students may not hold credit for this course and UIC-3040.