Introduction to the Arctic

From

1.9.2025

5 cr

The course contains the following themes: - Introduction to the circumpolar Arctic and its complexities in the fields of natural sciences, law and politics, people, cultures and identities, as well as society and economy - Definition of the Arctic from different ecological viewpoints - Definition of the Arctic/North as space and place from a representational viewpoint – concepts, images, discourses - Living in a cold environment and uses of cold - Introduction to the nature and natural resources of Arctic and Boreal Regions - Threats to the Arctic environment - Land use questions in Sápmiland - Introduction to the Arctic governance - Introduction to the Arctic and Antarctic information sources - One day excursion in Rovaniemi area and visit of the exhibition at the Arktikum-house.

Additional information and registration

Price and registration period

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Additional information:

Fields

Social sciences

Scope

5 cr

1 component

Code

ASPB1101V24

What you need to know before the course

What you will learn

The introductory course aims to establish a common ground for further Arctic studies. After completion of the course the student is able to - discuss the main features of Arctic nature and society - distinguish different approaches and multidisciplinary character of the Arctic research - discuss some geophysical phenomena, which occur only in northern areas or do have particular consequences there - judge the viability of information given, e.g. in media regarding the Arctic areas - discuss living in a cold environment and the uses of cold.

Learning material

Literature (compulsory):

CAFF (2013). Arctic biodiversity assessment: Status and trends in arctic biodiversity 2013 https://www.caff.is/assessment-series/233-arctic-biodiversity-assessment-2013. Read the following chapters: Introduction; indigenous peoples and biodiversity; and chapters: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 18 and 19.

Larsen, S. N. & Fondahl, G. (Eds.) (2014). Arctic Human Development Report: Regional Processes and Global Linkages. Nordic Council of Ministers, TemaNOrd 2014: 567. http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:788965/FULLTEXT03.pdf (diva-portal.org). Chapters to read: Summary of major findings; 1. Introduction; 2. Arctic Populations and Migration; 3.Cultures and Identities; 7. Resource Governance; 10. Globalization; 11. Community Viability and Adaptability; and 12. Major Findings and Emerging Trends in Arctic Human Development.

Stammler-Gossmann, A. (2009). Who Is Indigenous? Construction of ’Indigenousness’ in Russian Legislation. International Community Law Review 11 (1): 69–102.

Stammler-Gossmann, A. (2010). 'Translating' vulnerability at the community level: Case study from the Russian North. In G. K. Hovelsrud & B. Smit (Eds) Community Adaptation and Vulnerability in Arctic Regions. Chapter 6. Berlin: Springer. Pp. 131–162.

Literature (suggested):

Armstrong, T., Rogers, G. & Rowley, G. (1978). The circumpolar North. A political and economic geography of the Arctic and sub-Arctic. London: Methuen&Co.

Crawford, R. M. M. (2012). Tundra-Taiga Biology: Human, plant, and animal survival in the Arctic. Oxford University Press.

Hamelin, L. E. (1979). Canadian Nordicity: It’s your North, too. Montreal: Harvest House.

Larsen, J. N. et al. (Eds) (2015). Arctic Social Indicators ASI II: Implementation. Nordic Council of Ministers, TemaNord 2014: 568. http://norden.diva-portal.org/smash/get/diva2:789051/FULLTEXT02.pdf (diva-portal.org).

Stammler-Gossmann, A. (2022). Living-by-the-river: Means, meanings and sense of place. In A. Rosenholm et al (Eds) Cold Waters – Flows of Knowledge and Means of Thinking. Springer.

Stammler-Gossmann, A. (2022). “To be or not to be”? Tourism development plans and the voice of the river. Nordicum-Mediterraneum. Icelandic E-Journal of Nordicum and Mediterranean Studies 17 (3). Available at: https://nome.unak.is/wordpress/volume-17-no-3-2022/long-abstract-editor-review/to-be-or-not-to-be-tourism-development-plans-and-the-voice-of-the-river/.

Stammler-Gossmann, A. (2012). The Big Water of a Small River: Flood Experiences and a Community Agenda for Change. Chapter 4. In M. Tennberg. (Ed.) Governing the Uncertain in the Arctic: Adaptation and Climate Change in Russia and Finland: 55–82.

Stammler-Gossmann, A. (2010). Political animals of Sakha Yakutia. In F. Stammler F. & H. Takakura (Eds) Good to eat, good to live with: Nomads and animals in Northern Eurasia and Africa. Sendai: Center for Northeast Asian Studies, Tohoku University: 153–178.

Thomas, D. N. et al (2008). The Biology of Polar regions. Oxford Scholarship online.

Additional information

Principle tutor: Senior Researcher Nuccio Mazzullo, PhD, Arctic Centre. Lecturers: University Researcher Anna Stammler-Gossmann, PhD; University Researcher Jukka Jokimäki, PhD; Researcher Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki; Senior Researcher Nuccio Mazzullo, PhD; Research Professor Florian Stammler, PhD; Senior Researcher Mari Kuoppamaa, PhD; Senior Researcher Marlene Payva Almonte; Library Information Expert Kati Vuontisjärvi.

Organiser

Lapin yliopisto

Contact details

avoin@ulapland.fi

0404844495

Belongs to themes:

Sustainable development and growth