Tristan Pearce, Coordinator and Canada Research Chair in Cumulative Impacts of Environmental Change
Website: www.unbc.ca/northern-studies
Major in Northern Studies (BA)
Minor in Northern Studies
Major in Northern Studies
Northern Studies is an interdisciplinary field of particular importance to the University of Northern British Columbia, and of growing relevance globally. Circumpolar environmental processes are becoming recognized as key indicators of global change; circumpolar indigenous peoples are gaining a greater voice both nationally and internationally; circumpolar political arrangements are illustrating new forms of regional governance. For these and other reasons, a better understanding of northern conditions and issues is needed.
Students are required to complete 54 credit hours of coursework consisting of seven core courses (21 credit hours) one course (3 credit hours) in Methodology; at least five courses (15 credit hours) from the Environment and Health list of courses, and at least five courses (15 credit hours) from the Culture and People list of courses.
The remaining electives and prerequisites are open to design by the student, but 30 credit hours must be at the Upper-division level.
Note: Completion of a Bachelor of Arts with a major in Northern Studies graduation requires a minimum of 120 credit hours.
Block transfer of credit up to 60 credit hours towards the BA in Northern Studies at 蹤獲扞⑹ may be given to students from Yukon University who have completed one of the following two-year diploma programs at Yukon University: Diploma of Northern Studies; Diploma of Northern Outdoor and Environmental Studies.
Program Requirements
Core Courses
| Introduction to the Circumpolar North | |
| Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North 1 | |
| Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North 2 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World 1 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World 2 | |
| Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar North 1 | |
| Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar North 2 |
Note: These courses may be available in face-to-face format, cross-listed with other 蹤獲扞⑹ courses, or as web-based courses offered in conjunction with the University of the Arctic.
Environment and Health
(at least 15 credit hours)
| Human Adaptability and Environmental Stress | |
| British Columbia Archaeology | |
| Plants, Society and the Environment | |
| Ethnobotany | |
| Plant Ecology | |
| Environmental Economics and Environmental Policy | |
| Environmental Impact Assessment | |
| Snow and Ice | |
| Public Engagement for Sustainability | |
| Land and Indigenous Reconciliation Studio | |
| First Nations Health and Healing | |
| Indigenous Environmental Philosophy | |
| Soil Formation and Classification | |
| Health Geography | |
| Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience | |
| Northern Communities | |
| Special Topics in Health Sciences | |
| Health Promotion | |
| Global Environmental Change | |
| Special Topics in Northern Studies | |
| Independent Research/Directed Reading in Northern Studies | |
| Aboriginal Perspectives on Land and Resource Management |
Culture and People
(at least 15 credit hours)
| Medical Anthropology | |
| Ethnography in Northern British Columbia | |
| Archaeological Heritage Management | |
| British Columbia Ethnography | |
| British Columbia Archaeology | |
| Ethnographic Field Methods | |
| Ethnographic Research Project | |
| Traditional Use Studies | |
| Northern BC in the Global Economy | |
| Indigenous Literatures in Canada and the United States | |
| Special Topics in Indigenous Literatures | |
| Special Topics in Northern BC Literature | |
| Contemporary Challenges Facing Aboriginal Communities | |
| Indigenous Women: Perspectives | |
| Law and Indigenous Peoples | |
| Indigenous Geographies of Climate Resilience | |
| Northern Communities | |
| History of Indigenous People of Canada | |
| Special Topics in Northern Studies | |
| Independent Research/Directed Reading in Northern Studies | |
| Municipal Government and Politics | |
| Community Development | |
| Comparative Federalism | |
| Comparative Northern Development | |
| Resource Communities in Transition |
Methodology
(at least 3 credit hours)
| Qualitative Methods | |
| Ecological Analyses | |
| Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences | |
| Social Research Methods | |
| Perspectives in First Nations Studies | |
| Research Methods in First Nations Studies | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Cartography and Geomatics | |
| Geography Field School |
Note: Students are encouraged to participate in an optional semester at another university in the circumpolar north, through exchange agreements between 蹤獲扞⑹ and other circumpolar universities. This should be done in consultation with the NORS Coordinator.
Elective and Academic Breadth
Electives at any level in any subject sufficient to ensure completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours, including any additional credits necessary to meet the Academic Breadth requirement of the University (see Academic Regulation on Academic Breadth).
Minor in Northern Studies
Northern Studies is an interdisciplinary field of particular importance to the University of Northern British Columbia, and of growing relevance globally. Many circumpolar issues are gaining importance, and there are important lessons that can be exchanged between circumpolar regions and other areas of the globe. Northern Studies can be an interesting and useful complement to students other areas of study.
A minor consists of eight courses (24 credit hours). Students must take seven required core courses (21 credit hours). Students must also take one methodology course (3 credit hours) from the list below.
Courses used to fulfill program requirements for a major or another minor may not be used to fulfill requirements for this minor.
Required Core Courses
| Introduction to the Circumpolar North | |
| Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North 1 | |
| Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North 2 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World 1 | |
| Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World 2 | |
| Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar North 1 | |
| Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar North 2 |
Note: These courses may be available in face-to-face format, cross-listed with other 蹤獲扞⑹ courses, or as web-based courses offered in conjunction with the University of the Arctic.
Methodology
(Choose one from the list)
| Qualitative Methods | |
| Ecological Analyses | |
| Statistics for Business and the Social Sciences | |
| Social Research Methods | |
| Perspectives in First Nations Studies | |
| Research Methods in First Nations Studies | |
| Introduction to GIS | |
| Cartography and Geomatics | |
| Geography Field School |
Updated: December 5, 2024