The Arctic in the System of States, Science and Markets

Catalog description

Regardless of how the Arctic is defined, major environmental challenges that accompany climate change, melting sea ice and human activity there give rise to disasters that engender major changes such as forced migration and the destruction of property. At the same time, the instruments available to address Arctic environmental issues are in need of reform. Therefore, the challenge of Arctic governance is that what is essentially a set of regional issues has become problematized as a global call for action. Nonetheless, the causes of these physical changes embedded in industrial society do not emanate from the region--but rather from behaviors of peoples and industries far removed from them. This course takes a comprehensive view of the region, and explores the evolving concept of the Arctic through the lens of international relations with a particular emphasis on traditional national security, scientific cooperation, and political economy. We will consider future challenges and potential avenues of resolution that fall across disciplinary lines. Thus, students are expected to prepare for class by doing the assigned readings--there are very few lectures. At the same time, we will carve out time to review and reflect on composing, writing, and revising in order to produce the best possible research. Counts as a Communication Intensive course.