Gary Wilson, Associate Professor, Political Science, and Northern Studies Coordinator
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 (16 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 Northern
Studies BA at UNBC may be given to students from Yukon College who have
completed one of the following two year Northern Studies programs at
Yukon College: Diploma of Northern Studies, General Studies; Diploma of
Northern Studies, Native Studies; Diploma of Northern Studies, Outdoor
and Environmental Studies.
Program Requirements
Core Courses
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Introduction to the Circumpolar North
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| NORS 311-3 | | Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North 1 |
| NORS 312-3 | | Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North 2 |
| NORS 321-3 | | Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World 1 |
| NORS 322-3 | | Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World 2 |
| NORS 331-3 | | Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar North 1 |
| NORS 332-3 | | Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar North 2 |
Note: These courses may be available in face-to-face format,
cross-listed with other UNBC courses, or as web-based courses
offered in conjunction with the University of the Arctic.
Environment and Health (at least 15 credit hours)
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Human Adaptability
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Biology of Circumpolar Peoples
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Topics in British Columbia Archaeology
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Plants, Society and the Environment
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Ethnobotany
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Plant Ecology
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Environmental Economics and Environmental Policy
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Environmental Impact Assessment
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Snow and Ice
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Natural Resources, Environmental Issues and Public Engagement
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Aboriginal Resource Planning
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First Nations Health and Healing
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First Nations Environmental Philosophy and Knowledge
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Aboriginal Health and Chronic Illness
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Soil Formation and Classification
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Introduction to Medical Geography
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Geomorphology of Cold Regions
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Aboriginal Geography
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Social Geography of Northern Communities
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Special Topics in Health Sciences
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Health Promotion
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Global Environmental Challenge: Sustainability |
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Special Topics in Northern Studies
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Independent Research/Directed Reading in Northern Studies
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First Nations' Approaches to Resource Management
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Culture and People (at least 15 credit hours)
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Medical Anthropology
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Ethnography in Northern British Columbia
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Archaeological Heritage Management
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Topics in British Columbia Ethnography
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Topics in British Columbia Archaeology
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Ethnographic Field Methods
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ANTH 422-(3-6)
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Traditional Use Studies
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The Economy of Northern BC
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First Nations Literature
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Advanced First Nations Literature
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Northern BC Literature
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Contemporary Challenges Facing Aboriginal Communities
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Indigenous Women: Perspectives
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Canadian Law and Aboriginal Peoples
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Aboriginal Geography
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Social Geography of Northern Communities
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Aboriginal People in Canada
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Special Topics in Northern Studies
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Independent Research/Directed Reading in Northern Studies
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Indigenous Tourism and Recreation
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Recreation, Tourism and Communities
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Polar Tourism and Recreation
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Community Government and Politics
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Community Development
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Comparative Aboriginal State Relations
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Comparative Federalism
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| POLS
415-3 | | Comparative Northern Development
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POLS 434-3
| | Resource Communities in Transition
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Methodology
Three credit hours from one of the following:
| ANTH 300-3 | | Methods in Social Anthropology
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Ecological Analyses
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Statistics for the Social and Management Sciences
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Social Research Methods
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| FNST
200-3 |
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Methods and Perspectives in First Nations Studies
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Research Methods in First Nations Studies
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Introduction to GIS for the Social Sciences
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Cartography and Geomatics
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Geography Field School
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Research Methods and Analysis
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Research and Writing for Political Science |
Note: Students are encouraged to participate in an optional
semester at another university in the circumpolar north, through
exchange agreements between UNBC and other circumpolar universities.
This should be done in consultation with the NORS Coordinator.
Elective and Academic Breadth Requirement
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 15).
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 fulfil requirements for this minor.
Required Courses
Core Courses
|
|
|
Introduction to the Circumpolar North
|
| NORS
311-3 | | Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North 1 |
| NORS
312-3 | | Lands and Environments of the Circumpolar North 2 |
| NORS
321-3 | | Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World 1 |
| NORS
322-3 | | Peoples and Cultures of the Circumpolar World 2 |
| NORS
331-3 | | Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar North 1 |
| NORS
332-3 | | Contemporary Issues in the Circumpolar North 2 |
Note: These courses may be available in face-to-face format,
cross-listed with other UNBC courses, or as web-based courses
offered in conjunction with the University of the Arctic.
Methodology (Choose one course from the list):
| ANTH
300-3 | | Methods in Social Anthropology
|
|
|
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Ecological Analyses
|
|
|
|
Statistics for the Social and Management Sciences
|
|
|
|
Social Research Methods
|
| FNST
200-3 |
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Methods and Perspectives in First Nations Studies
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|
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Research Methods in First Nations Studies
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|
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|
Introduction to GIS for the Social Sciences
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|
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|
Cartography and Geomatics
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|
Geography Field School
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Research Methods and Analysis
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Research and Writing for Political Science |
