Course description for 2026/27
Contemporary Arctic Politics
NOM1000
Course description for 2026/27

Contemporary Arctic Politics

NOM1000
The Arctic is undergoing major environmental, political, and socio-economic changes that are attracting growing international attention. This course examines contemporary Arctic political developments and inter-state relations, with a focus on the foreign and security policies of major powers as well as Arctic and non-Arctic states. Grounded in foreign policy analysis, it provides students with analytical tools to assess how different actors approach the region and its governance.
The Arctic region is undergoing profound environmental, political, and socio-economic transformations that are drawing increasing attention from states across the Northern Hemisphere. This course introduces students to contemporary Arctic political developments and inter-state relations, with a particular focus on the foreign and security policies of states with interests in the region. The course begins by examining broader political and security dynamics that shape regional governance, including the (re)emergence of great power competition. It then turns to the Arctic strategies of the major powers in the international system - Russia, the United States, and the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Building on this, the course explores the national considerations and foreign policies of Arctic states (Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Canada) as well as key non-Arctic actors (Japan, South Korea, India, and Singapore) in relation to the Arctic. Grounded in foreign policy analysis, the course equips students with a core set of analytical tools that can be applied to the study of both Arctic and non-Arctic states’ foreign affairs and policies.
Admission occurs based on general study competence (university entrance) according to current Norwegian regulations.
None

Knowledge

The student

  • has knowledge of important topics, issues, and processes related to Arctic politics, foreign policy, and international relations.
  • is familiar with current research and scholarly debates on Arctic governance, great power competition, and regional security.
  • can update his/her knowledge of Arctic politics by engaging with new academic research, policy documents, and international developments.
  • has knowledge of the historical evolution, traditions, and distinctive character of Arctic politics.

Skills

The student

  • can apply academic knowledge and relevant research findings to analyze practical and theoretical problems in Arctic politics and make well-founded assessments.
  • can reflect upon his/her own academic work on Arctic and regional affairs and adjust it constructively under supervision.
  • can find, evaluate, and correctly reference scholarly literature, policy documents, and other sources, and present them in a manner that illuminates key issues in Arctic politics.

General competence

The student

  • can communicate key academic subject matters, both orally and in writing, as well as through other relevant forms of academic communication.
  • can engage in exchange of perspectives and experiences with others in the field, thereby contributing to the development of sound academic and professional practice.
  • is familiar with new thinking in the study of Arctic politics, foreign policy, and international relations.
In addition to the semester fee and required course literature, students are expected to have access to a laptop computer.
Compulsory for One-year Programme in Arctic and Nordic Studies. Possible elective course for other students at Nord University.

On campus students: In-person lectures, student-centered class discussions, seminar-based sessions, and screenings of documentary films

Online students: Synchronous online lectures and student-centered class discussions

The study program is evaluated annually by the students through course surveys. The evaluation is part of the university's quality assurance system.

Compound assessment (SV):

Course work (AK): Written assignments: 1 think piece and 3 academic essays.

Grading: approved/not approved.

Home Exam (HJ): A take home examination in the form of a written policy memo which must be submitted within 4 days.

Grading: AF.

The home exam accounts for 100/100 of the final exam grade.

Course work an exam will be conducted in English, and must be answered in English.

Passing both the AK and the HJ is required to successfully complete the course.

All means including course literature, internet, library, etc. but no artificial intelligence.

Generating responses using artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT or similar, and submitting them entirely or partially as one's own work is considered cheating.

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:

BCS135X - Contemporary Issues of the Circumpolar North - 5 credits

Choose start semester
Course language
English
Credits
10
Study location
Bodø, online
Teaching semesters
Autumn 2026
Responsible faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course coordinator
Employee photo: Martin Kossa
Associate Professor

Martin Kossa

martin.kossa@nord.no