Syllabi
There are many different ways to teach Salish Sea Studies courses. We offer three basic course design strategies and examples from different modalities.
Thematic
The first Salish Sea courses offered at Western Washington University and Whatcom Community College were designed with two week units titled Who, What, Where, When, and How/Why.
Seasonal
Some Salish Sea Nations have 13 moon calendars to guide harvest and other seasonal activities. Educational materials have been developed and designed by local nations. Partner with your local nation(s) for shared learning.
Geographic
In Spring 2022, we experimented with a new design for the Introduction to the Salish Sea course, starting from the whitecap of Mount Baker, traveling down the Nooksack River to the whitecap of Bellingham Bay, and then circumnavigating the Salish Sea from there. This course was designed by new SALI instructor Dr. Tuti Baker, original SALI instructor Dr. Natalie Baloy, and a student enrolled in the first SALI course, Caitlyn Blair.
In-Person Learning
Virtual Learning
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2024 Spring SALI 201 WCCAn introduction to the complex ecologies and human experiences of theSalish Sea region. This interdisciplinary course introduces students to content in the natural and social sciences, and integrates experiential learning through local regional field trips, including cross-border experiences. -
ANTH 235 Cross Cultural Medicine: Global Systems CollapseThis is a parallel track to ANTH 235, Cross Cultural Medicine that focuses on the health impacts of climate disasters, including trauma, grief and anxiety. Students then have the opportunity to visualize a future when the earth recovers its health. What does that look like? How does it happen? -
SALI 201: Intro to the Salish Sea Syllabus (2022)SALI syllabus from Spring 2022 at Whatcom Community College -
Salish Sea Reflection JournalA compendium of maps, resources, syllabus information, and reflection prompts, the Reflection Journal offers students and instructors a guide for sharing learning, questions, and ideas about Salish Sea Studies. -
Introduction to the Salish Sea Syllabus (2021 Fall) - WWUThis place-based, experiential, and multidisciplinary course introduces students to the complex human-environment systems of our shared bioregion, an international inland sea fed by watersheds governed by the United States, Canada, and over 60 Tribes and First Nations. This course invites students to critically examine complex issues in the Salish Sea, and to build meaningful connections across borders, disciplines, and systems to help bring to life an environmentally healthy and just future for the Salish Sea.
Image Source
1. THE CANADIAN PRESS / AP / ©Elaine Thompson
2. W̱SÁNEĆ calendar, SḴÁU ȽTE, by artist © MENEŦIYE
3. Cropped version of "The Salish Sea Bioregion Reference Map" (2021). Salish Sea Maps 4. by Aquila Flower.