AK1214 is a summer course, aimed at students from KTH, University of Illinois (Urbana Champaign) and other Swedish Universities. It is divided into three sections. Section 1 (mid June–early July) takes place at KTH and consists of A) a series of lectures which introduces the students to the themes of the course and B) seminars on literature and for preparing field work. Section 2 (mid July) consists of 10 days of intensive field work in the Arctic. In this period the students will be trained in field research and collect data for an essay. Section 3 (end of July) takes place at KTH and consists of seminars in which the students present their essays (examination tasks).
AK1214 Environment and Society in a Changing Arctic 10.0 credits
The Arctic is going through major transformations as a result of climate change, rising global demand for energy and key natural resources, and the international imperative of achieving sustainable development. These environmental, economic, political and societal changes that affect the Arctic are taking place at the global, regional and local levels. From shifting atmospheric circulation patterns due to disappearing Arctic sea ice, to the emergence of new industries—often labeled as “green”—alongside traditional resource extraction operations in Northern communities, the Arctic has become a region of great geopolitical significance. It is today a place where the interests of states, corporations, scientists, activists, indigenous peoples, local governments and international organizations converge—and sometimes come into conflict.
Environment and Society in a Changing Arctic will take place during June 2023, with more exact dates to be announced during the spring. The course is organized by the Division of History of Science, Technology and Environment at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in collaboration with the Department of History at Luleå University of Technology.
Each student is expected to pay a fee of 6000 sek. This is to cover some of the costs of travel and accomodation.
Contact:
Eric Paglia, course responsible, for content and prerequisites: paglia@kth.se
Course administration for admittance and registration: kursexp@abe.kth.se
Information per course offering
Choose semester and course offering to see current information and more about the course, such as course syllabus, study period, and application information.
Information for Spring 2025 Start 1 Jun 2025 programme students
- Course location
KTH Campus
- Duration
- 1 Jun 2025 - 30 Jun 2025
- Periods
- Pace of study
100%
- Application code
45000
- Form of study
Normal Daytime
- Language of instruction
English
- Course memo
- Course memo is not published
- Number of places
10 - 34
- Target group
Open and possible to apply only for students at KTH programs.
8 study places for students in exchange program from California State University, Fullerton
8 study places for programme students at KTH. Selection based on letter of motivation and academic credits.
Good knowledge of English is essential in order tofollow the course.
- Planned modular schedule
- [object Object]
- Schedule
- Schedule is not published
- Part of programme
- No information inserted
Contact
Eric Paglia & Sofia Jonsson: changingarctic@abe.kth.se
Course syllabus as PDF
Please note: all information from the Course syllabus is available on this page in an accessible format.
Course syllabus AK1214 (Spring 2013–)Headings with content from the Course syllabus AK1214 (Spring 2013–) are denoted with an asterisk ( )
Content and learning outcomes
Course contents
Intended learning outcomes
After the course, the student will be able to:
1. Recount major climatic and environmental changes in the Arctic, with a focus on the last 15.000 years
2. Interpret climate change within the specific cultural and historical context of the Nordic region
3. Describe and explain the main processes of societal change in the Nordic / European Arctic: Settlements and colonization, Development of scientific research, and Development of natural resource utilization industry and tourism.
4. Discuss the main changes in international politics and economics in the Arctic and its relation to scientific research, military strategies and indigenous peoples
5. Conduct basic field research through documentation of natural phenomena, cultural remains or by interviews
6. Perform simple research tasks by using and combining different types of sources (i.e. those mentioned under point 5) and present it in written and oral form
7. Critically analyze current events in the Arctic, in relation to the course contents.
Literature and preparations
Specific prerequisites
Basic eligibility and 120 credits or the equivalent in one or more of the following disciplines:engineering, science, architecture,history,environmental history, history of ideas, economic history, political science, anthropology, sociology, ethnology, literature, archeology and cultural geography. Exceptions can be made for Swedish if the course is taught entirely in English.
If there are more eligible applicants than places a selection is carried out based on a merit rating. Calculation of merits is based on the following criteria: 1) Education Background, where the breadth of the subjects studied is particularly meritorious, 2)grades, 3)motivation letter and 4)academic credits.
Equipment
No information inserted
Literature
Kursen behandlar pågående förändringsprocesser i Arktis, som för närvarande studeras av en bred och produktiv internationell polarforskning inom såväl naturvetenskapen som humaniora och samhällsvetenskap. Kurslitteraturen kommer att hämtas från fronten inom denna forskning, vilket gör att listan påkurslitteratur successivt kommer att förändras frånår tillår. Därför väljer vi att presentera kurslitteraturen senast tvåmånader före varje kursomgång, dels genom meddelanden och dokument påkursens hemsida, dels i utskick till kursdeltagarna.
Generellt kan sägas att kurslitteraturen kommer att hämtas i lika utsträckning från kursen tre huvudområden: 1) klimat- och miljöförändringar i Arktis, 2) Arktis i kultur och representation samt 3) vetenskap, industri och politik i Arktis.
Examination and completion
If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.
Grading scale
A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Examination
- INL1 - Essay, 10.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F
Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.
The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.
Examination: 1) active participation in discussions on the course literature and essays during the seminars and 2) writing and presenting the above mentioned essay.
Other requirements for final grade
Examination: 1) active participation in discussions on the course literature, field work results and essays during the seminars and 2) writing and presenting a final essay.
Opportunity to complete the requirements via supplementary examination
No information inserted
Opportunity to raise an approved grade via renewed examination
No information inserted
Examiner
Ethical approach
- All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
- In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
- In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.
Further information
Course room in Canvas
Registered students find further information about the implementation of the course in the course room in Canvas. A link to the course room can be found under the tab Studies in the Personal menu at the start of the course.
Offered by
Main field of study
Technology
Education cycle
First cycle
Add-on studies
No information inserted
Contact
Eric Paglia & Sofia Jonsson: changingarctic@abe.kth.se
Supplementary information
You apply through a special link, recived by emailing changingarctic@abe.kth.se. When you apply you also need to write a motivational letter of max one page on why you want to take the course and your expectations of the outcome. More information on the webpage: www.kth.se/changingarctic