Minor Arctic and Antarctic Studies
This minor programme is designed to provide a broad social and ecological overview in Arctic human-environment relations, and is suitable for students from a variety of research backgrounds. Instructors in the programme are all carrying out original research in this dynamic part of the world and have experience with policy related issues. The minor will cover both the Arctic and Antarcic
The first minor course sequence starts each year in September. If taken full-time it can be completed in half a year. The full minor contains six courses of five ECTS each. You can choose for fewer courses (see below).
You can also opt for the second minor course sequence, which will start half November.
Click here to see our syllabus from 2023. Please note that we will adjust the syllabus a bit for 2024!
Click here for information about registration.
For more information, please contact Maarten Loonen.
Content of the minor
A set of three courses of 5 ECTS each can be followed full-time. These 3 courses are different in form: in course (a) the student acts like a student, in course (b) the student acts like a teacher and in module (c) the student has to show an approach like a scientist.
The minor starts each year in September and the full-time minor will last for half a year. The minor contains of 6 courses of 5 ECTS each.
The two series courses 1 and 2 each cover half a semester and have a similar structure. Courses 1a and 2a consist of 2 times 2 hour lectures on Tuesday and Friday morning and end with an exam with open questions. These courses are mandatory if you want to follow the (b) and/or (c) course in the same block.
In the courses 1b and 2b each student will be assigned three times to different topics. You will be giving presentations about these topics for your fellow students and write a short paper about these. You will need to grade the presentations and papers of your fellow students. In that sense, you will learn to act like a teacher with a focus on preparation of lessons and grading.
In the courses 1c and 2c you will write a scientific paper. You will learn how to make a scientific analyses on a topic you can choose yourself, but which is linked to the general theme of the lectures 1a and 2a.
LGX228B05
In this series of lectures you will learn about the conditions experienced - and adaptations exhibited -by plants, animals and people in the world’s polar areas. Lectures will integrate diverse subjects, including meteorology, geology, ecology, and anthropology. A strong focus is placed on physical changes, including climate change, affecting inhabitants of these sensitive areas.
LGX227B05
This course covers a wide range of topics relating to nature, culture, and economy in the polar areas. Throughout the course, you as a student will become the teacher and will be giving two lectures together with fellow student-teachers.
In parallel to giving the lectures, you will also review the work of other groups and provide feedback. This course allows you to improve your presentation skills and educates you in how to provide useful feedback to others.
LGX229B05
In this course, you will perform a literature study and write a scientific essay on a topic of your own choosing in Antarctic or Arctic natural or social science. Under the supervision of an expert researcher in the Arctic Centre, you will learn to conduct research and to develop a scientific essay on your own chosen topic. This experience may be of great value for your future educational assignments, such as writing a bachelor and/or master thesis.
LGX231B05
Lectures in this course will address the exploitation of mineral and living resources in the Polar Regions as well as the role of law and international cooperation in governing these regions. In the recent past, over-exploitation by, for example, European coal miners and whalers, has posed serious problems for Arctic ecosystems, and also today the polar ecosystems and people in the North face challenges or risks due to, for instance, climate change, environmental pollution and increasing tourism. We will discuss these developments and governmental responses. While there are many similarities between both Polar Regions, for certain issues it is important to clearly distinguish the Arctic from the Antarctic.
LGX232B05
This course covers a wide range of topics relating to activities of historic exploration, scientific research, resource exploitation, and governance of the Polar Regions.
Throughout the course, you will become an instructor and will prepare two lectures as well as a poster presentation, together with fellow student-teachers. Despite giving the lectures, you will also review the work of other groups and provide feedback. This course allows you to really improve your presentation skills in an academic setting and educates you in how to provide useful feedback.
LGX230B05
In this course, you will perform a literature study and write a scientific essay on a topic of your own choosing about Antarctic natural, social, or political science. Under the supervision of an expert researcher in the Arctic Centre, you will learn to (1) formulate a relevant and original research question, (2) review relevant scientific literature, and (3) craft a professional paper/report on the topic.
This is an overview of paper subjects from former students
- The consequences of climate change in the arctic
- Ocean acidification
- Archeology / Acient cultures
- Adaptations of Arctic algae to the cold
- Polar bears and climate change
- Vegetation patterns in the Arctic
- Permafrost and archeological sites
- Invasive species in Antarctica
- Climate influence on Inuit way of life
- Indiginous help to Arctic explorers
- What happens after the Antarctic Treaty period?
- Ethical issues with indiginous people while doing archeology
- Developments in cartography
- Arctic security and political deadlock
- Antarctic mineral extraction
- Trans Alaskan Pipeline
What can this minor do for your career?
This programme can provide excellent preparation for a career in research (natural science, social science, humanities and law) or policy/governance. Working independently and in groups, students will learn to think critically, develop original research topics, and write well-formulated analyses. Because the programme focuses on the Polar Regions, students will gain valuable multidisciplinary insights into recent and pre-modern climate change, a topic of great relevance to a variety of research fields—from the hard sciences to history and political science—across the globe.
Additionally, a wide-ranging understanding of the Polar Regions can be a crucial asset to many public- and private-sector employers with operations in the Arctic and Antarctic, such as Royal HaskoningDHV, Musea, IAATO, AECO, the WWF, and Greenpeace.
Former students of the Arctic Centre are currently carrying out original scientific research in universities and museums, as well as policy work in international polar organizations. Others opt for a different career, but value their knowledge about the unique Polar Regions and changes due to climate change as unique background knowledge.
| Last modified: | 23 May 2024 4.35 p.m. |