Harley's Course -Integrating teachings from western and Indigenous sciences in an undergraduate biology course

Harley's Course -Integrating teachings from western and Indigenous sciences in an undergraduate biology course | Authorea try { document.documentElement.classList.add('js'); } catch (e) { } var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'G-8VDV14Y67G']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); Skip to main content Preprints Collections Wiley Open Research IET Open Research Ecological Society of Japan All Collections About About Authorea FAQs Contact Us Quick Search anywhere Search for preprint articles, keywords, etc. Search Search ADVANCED SEARCH SCROLL This is a preprint and has not been peer reviewed. Data may be preliminary. 25 July 2025 V1 Latest version Share on Harley's Course -Integrating teachings from western and Indigenous sciences in an undergraduate biology course Authors : Carol Armstrong 0009-0000-4616-2855 [email protected] , Carol L Armstrong , Alexandria Farmer , Michelle Hogue , and Harley Bastien Authors Info & Affiliations https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175346116.61193579/v1 Published Ecology and Evolution Version of record Peer review timeline 138 views 115 downloads Contents Abstract Supplementary Material Information & Authors Metrics & Citations View Options References Figures Tables Media Share Abstract What is science? Whose knowledge do you value and why? Is there room for spirituality in science? These are core questions in the third-year biology course officially titled Common Ground: Learning from the Land (BIOL3201) offered at Mt Royal University (Calgary, Alberta, Canada). Commonly referred to as "Harley's Course", this course was co-developed with Piikani Knowledge Holder Harley Bastien. The purpose of the course is to expose students to comparative scientific perspectives-Indigenous perspectives based on relationships with creation and respect for the natural order of life, with western perspectives based on maximizing land productivity and management. It encourages students to challenge their beliefs about what science is, who is a scientist, what it means to 'think scientifically', how to listen and observe, and the validity of the immeasurable. The opportunity to experience relational land-based learning, and to have the flexibility and freedom to discuss and reflect on perspectives different from the dominant western perspective has a remarkable impact on the students. This paper includes lessons learned from the first three cohorts of students who participated in 'Harley's Course' and shares some of the challenges inherent in decolonizing the western post-secondary science curriculum. Supplementary Material File (armstrong et al 2025 cg.pdf) Download 5.27 MB Information & Authors Information Version history V1 Version 1 25 July 2025 Peer review timeline Published Ecology and Evolution Version of Record 16 Jul 2025 Published Copyright This work is licensed under a Non Exclusive No Reuse License. Keywords experiential land-based learning perception relationship resistance Authors Affiliations Carol Armstrong 0009-0000-4616-2855 [email protected] View all articles by this author Carol L Armstrong Department of Biology, Mt Royal University, Mt Royal Gate SW View all articles by this author Alexandria Farmer Department of Biology, Mt Royal University, Mt Royal Gate SW View all articles by this author Michelle Hogue Department of Indigenous Studies, University of Lethbridge View all articles by this author Harley Bastien Blackfoot Confederacy, Piikani Knowledge Holder View all articles by this author Metrics & Citations Metrics Article Usage 138 views 115 downloads .FvxKWukQNSOunydq8rnd { width: 100px; } Citations Download citation Carol Armstrong, Carol L Armstrong, Alexandria Farmer, et al. Harley's Course -Integrating teachings from western and Indigenous sciences in an undergraduate biology course. Authorea . 25 July 2025. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22541/au.175346116.61193579/v1 If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download. For more information or tips please see 'Downloading to a citation manager' in the Help menu . Format Please select one from the list RIS (ProCite, Reference Manager) EndNote BibTex Medlars RefWorks Direct import Tips for downloading citations document.getElementById('citMgrHelpLink').addEventListener('click', function() { popupHelp(this.href); return false; }); $(".js__slcInclude").on("change", function(e){ if ($(this).val() == 'refworks') $('#direct').prop("checked", false); $('#direct').prop("disabled", ($(this).val() == 'refworks')); }); View Options View options PDF View PDF Figures Tables Media Share Share Share article link Copy Link Copied! Copying failed. Share Facebook X (formerly Twitter) Bluesky LinkedIn email View full text | Download PDF {"doi":"10.22541/au.175346116.61193579/v1","type":"Article"} Now Reading: Share Figures Tables Close figure viewer Back to article Figure title goes here Change zoom level Go to figure location within the article Download figure Toggle share panel Toggle share panel Share Toggle information panel Toggle information panel Go to previous graphic Go to next graphic Go to previous table Go to next table All figures All tables View all material View all material xrefBack.goTo xrefBack.goTo Request permissions Expand All Collapse Expand Table Show all references SHOW ALL BOOKS Authors Info & Affiliations About FAQs Contact Us Directory RSS Back to top Powered by Research Exchange Preprints Help Terms Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences $(document).ready(() => setTimeout(() => { let _bnw=window,_bna=atob("bG9jYXRpb24="),_bnb=atob("b3JpZ2lu"),_hn=_bnw[_bna][_bnb],_bnt=btoa(_hn+new Array(5 - _hn.length % 4).join(" ")); $.get("/resource/lodash?t="+_bnt); },4000)); (function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'9fecef8568771b23',t:'MTc3OTI5NjgyNQ=='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();