COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts in Indigenous Environmental Studies at Trent University is a 15.0-credit interdisciplinary program that focuses on understanding environmental issues through both Indigenous Knowledge systems and social science perspectives. The program emphasizes the relationship between people, land, and sustainability while encouraging students to critically examine environmental challenges affecting Indigenous and global communities. Students complete 7.5 required core credits in Indigenous Environmental Studies (IESS), beginning with foundational courses such as IESS 1001H and 2601Y, followed by intermediate and advanced study through course pairings like IESS 3631H/3632H or 3731H/3732H, and culminating in upper-level learning through IESS 4730Y or 4740Y. The program also includes foundational science exposure through 1.0 credit in Earth and Environmental Science (ERSC 1010H and 1020H), along with 1.0 credit in Indigenous Studies (INDG 1001H and 1002H). Students further broaden their knowledge with an additional half-credit in biology or environmental science and advanced interdisciplinary coursework at the 3000 level or higher in ERST, ERSC, or INDG. The curriculum encourages deeper engagement through recommended courses such as IESS 3635H, 3636H, 4630H, INDG 4050H, and Indigenous language study. Overall, the program prepares students for careers and further study in environmental policy, Indigenous governance, sustainability, and community-based research while fulfilling university-wide degree requirements.