Anthropological Approaches to the Arctic (10cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Objective

After completion of the course the student is able to
- employ central anthropological concepts and methods in the study of Arctic societies and communities
- assess and analyse global-local relationships in the Circumpolar Arctic region, paying particular attention to the ways in which local people relate to, resist or make use of ongoing changes and challenges
- make use of selected theoretical concepts and approaches relevant to the course topic and apply them to specific ethnographic examples from the Arctic.

Execution methods

Teaching profile: HYBRID 1 (or ONLINE 2).

Accomplishment methods

Seminars, independent study and assignments.

(If separately notified, the course may be organised in the form of independent study based on a broad reading package and written assignment and examination.)

Content

Arctic societies are highly exposed to climate change and to broad social, economic and political changes triggered by actors such as state authorities and the extractive industries. In this course, we focus on the entangled relationships between Arctic local, national and transnational forces building on concepts, approaches and methods drawn from Arctic Anthropology.

Location and time

March-April 2026

Materials

The students will receive information on the course literature at the start of the course.

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars, independent study and course assignments, role game, possible study trips.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

Fail (0): Performance is highly deficient or erroneous. The work may be based on serious misunderstandings.

Sufficient (1): The author has identified some key concepts and aspects in the research field. Performance is lacking in scope, superficial, or corresponds poorly to the assignment. The author merely lists things out of context, or addresses them one-sidedly. The work may contain errors or obscurities.

Satisfactory (2): The author has identified the key concepts and aspects in the research field. The performance mainly repeats the content of the course or addresses them one-sidedly.

Assessment criteria, good (3)

Good (3): The author has addressed the issue comprehensively. Performance corresponds to the assignment, manifesting skills to analyse and justify the content of the course. The work may contain some deficiencies.

Very good (4): The author has addressed the issue comprehensively. Performance manifest comprehension, insight, and skills to critically analyse and argue the content of the course.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

Excellent (5): Performance delineates an extensive whole and the author can apply knowledge in a multifaceted way or place it in various contexts. The work manifests independency and insight, and it is a flawless entity that involves justified thinking or critical contemplation. The work is well written and implemented.