Module 1: Peoples of What is Now Called Labrador I (9 Credit Hours) engages students in interdisciplinary and Indigenous forms of knowledge and scholarship to strengthen their understanding of the unique histories, cultures, and places of the Innu and Inuit of Labrador. This module is structured over the first half of the Fall Semester in Year 1.

Module 2: Peoples of What is Now Called Labrador II (9 Credit Hours) introduces students to decolonial, Indigenous and Western forms of knowledge and scholarship to strengthen their understanding of the natural and human history of what is now called Labrador. This module is structured over the second half of the Fall Semester in Year 1.

Module 3: The Circumpolar North (9 Credit Hours) engages students with diverse knowledges and scholarship from Indigenous and settler artists, academics, community and political leaders, and local experts from these regions to stimulate interest in and understanding of the complex issues facing the Circumpolar North. This module is structured over the first half of the Winter Semester in Year 1.

Module 4: Stories of the North (9 Credit Hours) engages students with Labrador storytellers, narrative styles, and knowledge representations and immerses them in land-based learning. This module is structured over the second half of the Winter Semester in Year 1.

Module 5: Strengthening Indigenous & Northern Health, Healing, and Wellbeing (9 Credit Hours) introduces students to key issues in concepts of Arctic and Northern Indigenous health and healing, health policies, and health equity from Indigenous and land-based approaches to health and wellness. This module is structured over the first half of the Fall Semester in Year 2.

Module 6: Colonization and Reconciliation (9 Credit Hours) engages students with leading national and Indigenous-led policy and advocacy efforts, creating space for the practical application of key concepts like colonization and reconciliation in context. This module is structured over the second half of the Fall Semester in Year 2.

Module 7: Resistance, Resilience, and Reclamation (9 Credit Hours) introduces students to Northern and Indigenous theories, concepts and practices that strengthen interdisciplinary understandings of Indigenous resistance, resilience, and reclamation. This module is structured over the first half of the Winter Semester in Year 2.

Module 8: Arctic and Subarctic Ways of Knowing, Doing, & Being (9 Credit Hours) enables students to explore how the land teaches, governs, and balances all life. This module is structured over the second half of the Winter Semester in Year 2, and begins with a two-week land camp.

Module 9: Relational Connections with Wildlife, Fish, & Plants (9 Credit Hours) explores co-management theory and practices across Northern Canada, emphasizing Labrador and Inuit Nunangat. This module is structured over the first half of the Fall Semester in Year 3.

Module 10: Relationships & Responsibilities (9 Credit Hours) allows students opportunities to participate in learning experiences with Elders, knowledge holders, Land, and the more-than-human entities of Place. This module is structured over the second half of the fall semester in Year 3.

Module 11: Sustainable Self-Determined Futures (9 Credit Hours) involves interdisciplinary learning opportunities that engage key concepts and theories in the field of self-determination as it intersects with governance, laws, and justice among Northern and Indigenous peoples. This module is structured over the first half of the Winter Semester in Year 3.

Module 12: Building Your Own Futures (9 Credit Hours) is structured over the second half of the Winter Semester in Year 3 and into the spring semester. Students can pursue their own independent learning, research, and/or community project, focused on building from their learning from the other modules, and following their own interests and ideas. This module has two pathways: one for general degree students and one for honours degree students.

Note: Students must complete all courses in Modules 1 and 2 before registering for courses in Modules 3 through 11.

Students who do not successfully complete courses in Modules 3 through 11 must successfully complete those courses prior to registering for courses in Module 12.

What follows is an overview of the timing of BASIS modules, broken down by year and semester:

Download the PDF version of the BASIS Modules Overview!

The BASIS general degree pathway includes:

• 12 core BASIS modules (108 credit hours)
• Approved electives and professional development options (12 credit hours)
• A community-based and community-led major project, including applied research coursework.

The Honours BASIS pathway provides the opportunity, over and above the requirements of the regular BASIS degree, for learners to pursue a research-focused concentration at an advanced level in an approved area. This pathway normally takes an additional semester of study to complete the thesis research. This pathway includes:

• 12 core BASIS Modules (108 credit hours)
• Approved electives and professional development options (12 credit hours)
• A community-based and community-led undergraduate thesis project, including applied research coursework and a thesis presentation.

The BASIS program focuses solely on Arctic and Subarctic regions and has a curriculum created by and for people in Labrador and the North.

It is the first undergraduate program of its kind in Canada and is a rare offering throughout the Circumpolar North.

The BASIS program also offers distinct and complementary contributions to the existing Northern-focused course offerings, faculty, and resources offered at other Memorial campuses. Students will be trained to navigate diverse knowledge systems and integrate multiple ways of knowing, doing, and being.

At its heart, the BASIS program is premised on and inspired by learner-centred education, which celebrates individual gifts and champions each student’s aspirations.

Land-based, experiential, and classroom-based opportunities are integrated throughout each BASIS module, providing a rich, innovative, and leading-edge undergraduate educational experience.

Overall, the BASIS program provides a unique, enriching, and holistic learning experience for Northern-based students, as well as students from multiple places and backgrounds.

You may apply for admission into the BASIS program directly from high school by indicating Bachelor of Arctic and Subarctic Interdisciplinary Studies at the Labrador Campus in the appropriate place on the undergraduate application for admission. In addition to you meeting the general admission requirements for Memorial University, admission into this program is subject to completion of a high school diploma or equivalent, with an overall average of 70% or higher.

Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee your acceptance into the program.

For applicants who do not meet the minimum admission requirements, professional and leadership contributions to Arctic and Subarctic regions may be considered.

Applicants must pay the University’s general application fee with each application for admission or readmission to the University.

SASS 1000: Indigenous Peoples, Places, and Cultures in What is Now Called Labrador (3 credit hours)

Indigenous Peoples, Places, and Cultures in What is Now Called Labrador explores the diverse histories, cultures, traditions, and stories of the diverse Indigenous Peoples in what is now known as Labrador, who have occupied the lands, waters, and sea ice for millennia. Students will be guided by interdisciplinary and Indigenous forms of knowledge and scholarship to strengthen their understanding of the unique histories, cultures, and places of the Innu of Nitassinan and Inuit of Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut.

SASS 1500: Fall Land Camp I (3 credit hours)

Fall Land Camp I initiates students to the land, people, and waters of coastal Labrador. Participants will spend 48 hours on the land and waters of coastal Labrador with a host community, organization, or family. In this time students will work together to set up tents, procure food, water, and wood, prepare meals, and participate in coastal-based cultural activities and learning.

SASS 2700: Storying Labrador Futures (3 credit hours)

Storying Labrador Futures is an experiential course in which students collaborate to envision possible Labrador futures. Based on these ideas, the students will develop narratives, which they will enact through the creative arts.

Land-Based Opportunities: protect and preserve traditional lands, waters, cultural sites, and natural resources through conservation, resource management, outdoor education, and stewardship.

Environmental Sustainability and Innovation: contribute to sustainable, equitable, and just futures for Northern peoples and environments.

Cultural Revitalization and Preservation: honour and promote rich Northern and Indigenous histories, cultures, languages, and self-determination.

Media and Arts: channel creativity into powerful storytelling and cultural expression.

Public Service: shape and influence policies and programs that make a real difference in people’s lives, in all levels of government.

Graduate Studies: dive deeper into a diversity of departments and disciplines, including at the Labrador Campus in our Arctic and Subarctic Futures graduate program!

And many more!

Note: Some of these careers may call for supplementary education or preparation in the form of graduate studies, experiential learning or professional courses and exams.