Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar North

This course introduces students to important structures and forces affecting the development and sustainability of circumpolar states and communities. The students work with the demography and population trends in the circumpolar region, different types of natural resource use and extraction, like fisheries and oil and gas production, as well as the increasingly globalized economies of these states and communities. Indigenous, social and health issues are also covered in addition to issues relating to governance and international politics in the High North. This course provides students with knowledge of the main challenges confronting the states, peoples and communities of the world’s northern regions. As such it will be beneficial to students attempting to better understand the current issues facing the North as well as to those planning to pursue advanced studies related to the region. This course is based on thematical modules offered by the University of the Arctic (UArctic).

Admission occurs based on general study competence (university entrance) according to current Norwegian regulations.

Upon the successful completion of this course, students should be able to:

Knowledge:

Have broad knowledge of important structures and forces affecting the development of Circumpolar states and communities
Be familiar with research and development work as well as challenges to the Circumpolar North
Acquire new knowledge about economic development, demographic trends, Indigenous, social and health issues, governance and international politics of the High North
Have knowledge of the history, traditions and distinctive character of the Circumpolar North

Skills

Be able to use academic knowledge and relevant results from research on practical and theoretical issues and make reasoned choices.
Be able to reflect upon own academic practice and convey this in a way that is relevant for the subject matters.
Be able to find, assess and refer to academic knowledge and convey this in a way that is relevant for a problem.
Be able to use relevant academic expressions.

General competence

Have knowledge about relevant academic research questions regarding the Circumpolar North
Be able to plan and write student papers with relevant academic subjects.
Be able to convey central academic issues like theories and research results regarding the Circumpolar North
Be able to exchange views and experiences regarding the developments in the Circumpolar North
Know about new perspectives in the field of Circumpolar studies.

No costs except for semester registration fee

Compulsory for the Bachelor of Circumpolar and Nordic Studies. Elective course for other students at Nord University

Online study course

Annual evaluations which are included in the university's quality assurance system.

Individual compulsory coursework (OA): 4 hand-ins. The compulsory coursework are prerequisites for determination of the final grade.

Four days individual home examination.

The compulsory course work and the individual home exam must be answered in English.

None

Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar North

Martin Kossa