Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic - INT6060 (10 sp)
The Arctic is experiencing unprecedented changes. The increasingly ice-free Arctic waters are creating greater accessibility to the Arctic region. This is leading to economic, environmental, political, and security challenges, which provides new opportunities for international cooperation, but also potential for regional competition and even conflict.
Dette emnet undervises på engelsk og beskrives derfor på engelsk.
About the Course:
The Arctic is experiencing unprecedented changes. The increasingly ice-free Arctic waters are creating greater accessibility to the Arctic region. This is leading to economic, environmental, political, and security challenges, which provides new opportunities for international cooperation, but also potential for regional competition and even conflict.
New opportunities for natural resource extraction and consequently production, in combination with new routes of transportation may not only fuel economic growth in the Arctic but may also attract outside stakeholders. However, a potential increase in commercial activity in this remote region is to an extent on a collision course with the fragile ecosystem as well as the interests of local and indigenous peoples. Challenges include search and rescue, oil-spill prevention and response, mitigating measures with respect to environmental changes, border protection, local governance, respect for traditional livelihoods, as well as security concerns deriving from so-called ‘geopolitics’.
As the region takes on greater economic, environmental and strategic importance, the Arctic demands prioritization from Arctic states. Investment is needed to develop limited infrastructure and strategic facilities, and enhanced cooperation and coordination among Arctic nations is necessary to prevent potential conflict. These trends also prompt a need to study issues, interests and dynamics of the changing Arctic.
After completing this course, the student is expected to have acquired the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
- Explain the concept of ‘geopolitics’.
- Gain knowledge about the state of, and importance of the Arctic region in general.
- Consider the environmental changes that are taking place above the Arctic region.
- Account for some of the most important dynamics which shapes this region.
- Understand some of the basic ways natural resources may be used as a geopolitical instrument.
- Understand the importance of Svalbard to Norway and the region.
- Know about and refer to central treaties and other documents dealing with the Arctic.
Skills
- Assess the importance of the Arctic region to the various nation-states located in the Arctic.
- Evaluate the importance of natural resources for Arctic development.
- Evaluate and discuss the importance of international rules, regulations and institutions in the Arctic.
- Discuss potential factors for conflicts in the Arctic.
- Evaluate and consider future geopolitical scenarios in the Arctic.
- Make use of International Relations Theory in assessing the politics of the Arctic.
Competence
- Discuss potential factors for conflicts in the Arctic.
- Evaluate and consider future geopolitical scenarios in the Arctic.
Requirement
The requirement must be passed in accordance to given deadline in order to register for the exams.
- Policy brief assignment (max. 2 pages / 1000 words) (pass/fail)
Exam
This course consists of two separate exams that together constitute the final grade. Both exams must be passed in order to pass the course. Students can retake one or both exams.
- 3 hour written exam: Policy brief (max. 2 pages / 1000 words) (40 % of the grade, grading system A – F)
- 3 hour written exam (60 % of the grade, grading system A – F).
