COURSE CURRICULUM

The Northern Studies program offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the circumpolar North, focusing on its distinctive environments, cultures, and political dynamics. Central to the program are core courses on the land, people, and pressing contemporary issues, often delivered in collaboration with the University of the Arctic. Students may tailor their learning through thematic focuses such as Environment and Health or Culture and People, with course selections available from anthropology, biology, geography, political science, and other fields. A required methodology course ensures students develop essential research skills. The program strongly encourages participation in exchange semesters at other northern universities, promoting hands-on, cross-cultural learning. To earn a minor in Northern Studies, students must complete seven core courses plus one methodology course, totaling 24 credit hours. Foundational courses span subjects like ecology, environmental citizenship, tourism, geography, statistics, and Indigenous studies. Students can choose from various upper-division modules in areas such as protected area management, tourism impacts, experiential education, and Indigenous land perspectives. The program also offers specializations, including Marketing and Entrepreneurship, Outdoor Education and Leadership, Communities and Tourism, and Environment and Society. These allow for deeper focus, integrating advanced courses in marketing strategies, environmental economics, ethnobotany, community planning, GIS, Indigenous reconciliation, and climate resilience. Field schools, internships, and independent study options further enhance experiential learning. The curriculum is structured to prepare graduates with a nuanced understanding of the North’s ecological and sociocultural systems, making it ideal for those interested in sustainable development, environmental management, Indigenous affairs, or community-based tourism. The integration of diverse disciplines ensures a holistic view of northern issues while building critical academic, leadership, and practical skills applicable to a wide range of careers related to northern regions.