Environment and Society in a Changing Arctic (AK1214)

When the North Pole ice has melted, what will fill its place?

This course focuses on the increasing international interest in the Arctic, in the wake of the global changes towards a warmer climate. If the Arctic Ocean becomes free from sea ice in the summer, there may be new possibilities for extracting oil and gas there as well as for shipping. As a consequence, sustainable resource use and governance have become central items on the political agenda of states. The objective of this course is to explain these developments from a long-term historical perspective.  

The course is a unique opportunity for program students at KTH and The University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign to study Arctic change at KTH and in the field on Svalbard in the high Arctic.

For information, contact course leader Dag Avango at: avango@kth.se or 0733 788 579.

Objectives and learning outcomes

The aim of this course is to give a thorough orientation about long-term changes in the Arctic region.  Which environmental changes has the Arctic region experienced historically? How have humans used the Arctic region and why? How can we use past experiences when dealing with the present? After the course, students will be able to: 1) Recount historical climatic and environmental changes in the Arctic. 2) interpret climate change within the specific context of Nordic history and cultures, 3) describe and explain the main processes of societal change in the region (science and discovery, natural resource exploitation, geo-politics), 4) conduct basic field research through documentation of natural phenomena, cultural  remains and interviews, 5) perform simple research tasks by using and combining the different sources, 6) critically analyze current events in the Arctic, in relation to the course contents

Organization and general outline

The first part of the course will be held at KTH, Valhallavägen campus in Stockholm, from June 10 to June 28, and will consist of a series of lectures and museum visits on the topic Arctic environmental and societal change. The second part of the course will take place on the Arctic Archipelago Svalbard, from July 1 to July 15, and will consist of different field work exercises, focusing on different aspects of the changes taking place in the Arctic.

Applications

Who can apply? The course is open to program students at KTH and students from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in USA (the course is taught by faculty members from both universities).

KTH students need to have general entry requirements and 120 hp in one of the following fields: technology, natural science, architecture, history, environmental history, history of ideas, economic history, political science, anthropology, sociology, ethnology, literature, archaeology or human geography.

How to apply: apply on separate form which can be acquired from the home page of the Division of History of Science, Technology and Environment at KTH. Submit your application in writing to KTH/Antagning, Drottning Kristinas väg 6, 100 44 Stockholm.

Deadline: January 15 2013.

Costs

Students need to be ready to cover the expenses connected with the field component of the course. This cost can be up to 16 000 SEK. It is possible that the cost will be lower however, through funding which KTH and UIUC have applied for. There will be possibilities for students to apply for stipends, more information will be posted on the course website.

Safety issues

Applicants to the course should be aware that the field component of the course on Svalbard involves certain risks connected to the Arctic environment and fauna. Students must also be ready to invest in suitable outdoors clothing and hiking boots.