Arctic Norway and the Barents Region - Aspects of history

The aim of the course is to provide (international) students with knowledge and understanding of central themes and problems in North Norwegian history, seen both in the context of Norwegian history as well as the broader history of the Barents region.

Considering the students' varied backgrounds, we assume no previous knowledge of the region. We also work on the assumption that students know very little about the history of Norway or the history of the Barents region in general. We therefore begin by giving a brief overview of important themes in Norwegian history, providing a framework for the more detailed presentation of North Norwegian history that follows. The dynamics of early trade networks and economic activities are examined. The gradual inclusion of northern Fennoscandia as peripheral regions in national states with centers further south, and the impact of this development on inter-ethnic relations are explored. Increasing Norwegian activity in the Polar Regions, for purposes of hunting and scientific and economic research, but also increasingly as a form of national expression and assertion, is an important theme too. Tensions in region during the Cold War period are considered, and the course progresses up to the present in examining economic exploitation, competition and co-operation in the Barents Region. Throughout the course the role of Tromsø is also considered, providing insight into local history as well as regional and national history.

Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).

Admission code: 9199 (Nordic applicants).

The student has the following learning outcomes:

Knowledge

The student has:

• obtained knowledge on central themes and problems in north-Norwegian and Barents region history
• insight into the changing dynamics of social, political, religious and ethnic characteristics of the north during the last 1000+ years

Skills

The student is able to/can:

• analyse secondary and selected primary sources and draw their own conclusions

Competence The student is able to/can:

• assemble, synthesise and present information, both orally and in writing

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

• HIS-1001 The Making of Europe - from year 1000 to 1500 1 stp
• HIS-1002 Merchant capitalism, state power and revolutions 1500-1850 1 stp
• HIS-1003 Nationalism, imperialism and globalization 1850-2000 1 stp
• HIS-1005 North Norway between Tradition and Modernization 1870-2000 2 stp

Language of instruction and examination

Applicants from Nordic countries: 1st June for the autumn semester.

Applicants from outside the Nordic countries: 15th April for the autumn semester.

Mandatory assignment:

Students are expected to write one mandatory assignment (approx. 5 pages / 2 000 words) on a given topic during the course. The writtten assignment will be assessed on a pass/fail basis. The mandatory assignment must be passed in order for the student to attend the exams.

The exam will consist of:

Students will write one home exam (approx. 7 pages / 2 800 words) toward the end of the semester. The home exam is to be submitted within a seven days/one week deadline. The exam will be evaluated on an A - F grading scale, where F means fail. 

In case of an F grade, an exam retake is offered at the beginning of the following semester. Deferred examination is offered in the beginning of the following semester if the student is unable to take the final exam due to illness or other exceptional circumstances. The registration deadline for retake/deferred exam is 15th January for spring semester exams and 15th August for autumn semester exams.