Course description for 2026/27
The Nordic and Arctic Societies
NOM1001
Course description for 2026/27

The Nordic and Arctic Societies

NOM1001
The course introduces students to the humanities as a framework for understanding, interpreting and critically evaluating the changing Arctic and Nordic region.
The course is organized in two parts: Part 1 - An introduction to the Humanities: introduces students to the humanities as a framework for understanding, interpreting and critically evaluating what is presented in part 2. Part 2 will focus on Nordic and Arctic Societies, their main values and cultural characteristics and the ideas and ideals on which Nordic people organize their societies. What are the most important institutions and categories of people? How are challenges met and decisions made about family life, education, working life, gender, minority groups, religion, social and cultural differences, environmental problems and other issues in the changing Arctic and Nordic region.
Admission occurs based on general study competence (university entrance) according to current Norwegian regulations.
None

Knowledge

The candidate

  • has knowledge of central issues, theories, research questions and methods in studies on Nordic and Arctic societies
  • is familiar with research and development work in the field of Nordic and Arctic societies.
  • is familiar with ethical guidelines for social research in the field of Nordic and Arctic societies
  • can update his/her knowledge about the Nordic and Arctic societies
  • can identify and discuss sustainability dilemmas and the role international institutions related to the Arctic and Nordic societies
  • Is familiar with history, traditions, distinctive character, the cultures, traditions and distinctiveness, and knowledge about how the Nordic and Arctic societies find solutions to social problems and sustainable dilemas.

Skills

The candidate...

  • is able to use academic knowledge and relevant results from research on practical and theoretical issues and make reasoned choices.
  • can reflect on his/her own academic practice and can develop it according to the feedback/supervision provided
  • can find, evaluate, and use scholarly material, and present it in ways that illuminate knowledge about Nordic and Arctic societies
  • has skills regarding relevant scholarly tools, techniques, concepts, and forms of communication

General competence

The candidate

  • has knowledge about relevant academic research questions, ethical issues and topics regarding the Nordic and Arctic societies.
  • is able to plan and write student papers with relevant academic subjects related to Nordic and Arctic societies.
  • is able to convey central academic issues like theories and research results regarding the Nordic and Arctic societies in written form.
  • is able to exchange views and experiences regarding the Nordic and Arctic societies.
  • is familiar with new thinking and innovation processes related to the Nordic and Arctic societies.
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 the Circumpolar and Nordic Studies. Elective course for other students at Nord University

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

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

In relation to the optional excursions, we encourage students to familiarize themselves with safety measures such as insurance Forsikring for studentar. For internartional students, please follow the English guidelines for insurance Insurance | Nord.no

Annual evaluations which are included in the university´s quality assurance system.

Compound assessment (SV), grading A - F:

Course work (AK):

Written assignments (answers to 4 module questions).

Grading: approved/not approved.

Home Exam (HJ):

The exam consists of an individual four day take-home examination (HJ).

Grading: A-F.

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 AK and 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:

BCS105X - An Introduction to the Humanities and to the Circumpolar North - 5 credits

Choose start semester
Course language
English
Credits
10
Study location
Bodø, online
Responsible faculty
Faculty of Social Sciences
Course coordinator
Information about the course coordinator for the selected semester is no longer available. Please contact the current course coordinator.