Histories of the Arctic (MHI326)

Content

Within this course students will gain an increased understanding of the history of the Arctic. Students will critically reflect on topics including how Indigenous peoples have lived and worked in Arctic regions, how science has functioned as a source of power in addition to knowledge, how individual actors and historical episodes have been remembered, and how historical events have shaped present-day challenges.The overall focus is on developing an integrated understanding of how Arctic histories are created but also used. The course consists of three modules. All instruction and exams will be in English.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

After completing the course the student will be able to:

• understand how specific historic individuals and events related to the Arctic memorialized, and what cultural and political objectives this can further
• critically describe how Indigenous communities and cultures in the Arctic have engaged with economic and political systems from elsewhere, including in the framework of colonialism
• critically evaluate the role of science in both describing Arctic cultures and environments, and facilitating political control
• connect the history of the Arctic with the challenges of the present, including debates over resource extraction, environmental protection, and sovereignty (including Indigenous sovereignty)

Skills:

After completing the course the student will be able to:

• communicate academic knowledge in the form of a short popular article
• integrate perspectives from other historical and historiographical traditions into the understanding of Arctic history

General competence:

After completing the course the student will be able to:

• communicate historical knowledge in verbal form through discussions and presentations
• understand how history can function as a political resource in the present
• engage in academic discussions with peers, both through discussion and presentations

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Coursework requirements

75% attendance in class, exam/module 1, 75% attendance in class, exam/module 2, 75% attendance in class, exam/module 3, Approved topic for exam 1, Approved topic for exam 2, Submit a draft literature list for exam 3

• attendance 75% for each module
• approved topic for exam 1, submitted no later than two weeks before the examination date
• approved topic for exam 2, submitted no later than two weeks before the examination date
• submit a draft literature list no later than two weeks before exam 3

If an assignment is assessed as not approved on the first attempt, students are given one opportunity to submit a revised assignment one week after the initial deadline.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Peder William Chellew Roberts

Study Adviser:

Signe Ekenberg

Open for

• Students in the master program in History and History Didactics
• Lector students 8 -13, History
• Incoming exchange students

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature