Sami History

HI222S

In a historical perspective, the Sami community has been complex, with large variations in language, culture and business. There have also been major changes in the course of history, from an original hunting and trapping society, to reindeer husbandry societies and fisherman farming societies. One line in the study will be to go through these development processes.

The course is an introduction to the history of the Sami. It covers both older and more recent times, and the various geographical areas in the north that have traditionally been the Sami settlement area. In a historical perspective, the Sami community has been complex, with large variations in language, culture and business. There have also been major changes in the course of history, from an original hunting and trapping society, to reindeer husbandry societies and fisherman farming societies. One line in the study will be to go through these development processes, also with regard to chronological and geographical differences. Interaction between the Sami and the neighboring peoples has always been important, and this aspect will also be focused on. The Sami community has also been under continuous influence from state authorities, where measures such as taxation, setting national borders, missions and active assimilation policies have been key elements. The course and consequences of this policy will be emphasized. Although the course has a general character, more emphasis will be placed on Nordland than the other areas.

General study competence

Knowledge

Students will acquire knowledge of and have an overview of the most important lines of development in the history of the Sami, including the economic and cultural differences between Sami communities from inland to the coast - and from north to south.

Skills

Students will develop a basic understanding of the concept of ethnicity, and gain insight into how ethnicity is created, how it is developed and maintained over time, and changes in the encounter between cultures.

General competence

Students will show the ability to familiarize themselves with advanced research literature and take a stand on complex academic questions.

No costs beyond semester fee and syllabus literature.

Obligatory

Lectures, colloquia, oral presentations, writing with student peer review, assignments, organised for both net- and campus students.

Evaluated annually by the students through course surveys. Evaluation is part of the university's quality assurance system.

None

Overlap refers to a similarity between courses with the same content. Therefore, you will receive the following reduction in credits if you have taken the courses listed below:

HI222NS - Sami history - 10 credits

SO342S - Sami Society and Identity in the Past and Present - 5 credits