Northern Studies
For information on studying at McGill University, Montreal, Canada; the University of Copenhagen, Denmark; or opportunities for study in Russia, see Study Abroad.
NORS 484 (3 Credits) Fall
Seminar in Northern Studies (3+0) s
An interdisciplinary seminar focusing on topics relating to the North with emphasis on the physical sciences, the peoples and the socioeconomic and political aspects of the area. Specialists in the various fields will assign readings and conduct discussions. (Prerequisite: At least junior standing or permission of instructor.)
NORS 600 (3 Credits) Fall
Perspectives on the North (3+0)
(Same as HIST 600)
Basic knowledge of the circumpolar north -- the social, economic, political, and scientific facets of northern life. Consideration of major cultural groups of the north and their histories, the environmental settings and patterns of settlement and development in northern regions and systems of governance in different northern countries. Broad overview of the major policy issues of the north in education, justice, health care, and environmental and wildlife protection.
NORS 601 (3 Credits) Fall
Research Methods and Sources in the North (3+0)
Development of students' research skills so they can engage in their own research on northern issues. Includes techniques of interviewing, conducting surveys, and sampling; qualitative and quantitative methods of research design; and familiarity with library sources and archival records. Each student will develop a research project.
NORS 606 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Science, Technology & Development in Northern Regions (3+0)
This course analyzes critical northern public policy issues with scientific dimensions. It considers scientific knowledge and traditional knowledge of indigenous populations. The course emphasizes case studies of development and industrial pollutants, such as Project Chariot, Chernobyl, Red Dog Mine, Exxon Valdez, and Arctic haze. (Prerequisites: a course in basic science or engineering, and graduate standing or consent of instructor.)
NORS 610 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Northern Indigenous People and Contemporary Issues (3+0)
(Same as ANTH 610)
Comparative examination of issues affecting northern indigenous people from Alaska, Canada, Greenland, and Russia. Issues include the impact of the alienation of land on which these people depend; the relationships between their small, rural microeconomies and the larger agroindustrial market economies of which they are a part; education, language loss, and cultural transmission; alternative governmental policies toward indigenous peoples and contrasting world views. Materials fee: $5.00.
NORS 614 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Human Adaptation to the Circumpolar North (3+0)
(Same as PSY 614)
Individual and family adaptations to the distinctive stresses and opportunities of life in northern regions. Students complete an original research project examining a topic such as successful and unsuccessful responses to northern work and economic cycles, adult development in sparsely populated frontier settings, and the social problems characteristic of northern settings.
NORS 616 (6 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Lab Theatre I 'Write Theatre' (3+9)
(Same as THR 416)
An intensive course for actors, directors and playwrights interested in script development/training with the participation of Russian professionals. Experience working in a multicultural environment developing new scripts up to stage readings. Selected dramatic material will be workshopped under Russian and/or American directors. Work required: dramatic scenes, writing, acting, keeping a journal. (Prerequisites: Basic theatre classes/training. Letter of application and resume. Russian language desired but not necessary.)
NORS 620 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Images of the North (3+0)
(Same as ENGL 620)
Emphasis on the variety of images created about the people and environment of the circumpolar north. Examination and interpretation of conceptualizations of the north as expressed in such different media as film, art, literature, travel journals, and oral traditions.
NORS 625 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Visual Images of the North (3+0)
(Same as ART 625)
Examination of the two-dimensional imagery of the people and landscapes of the polar regions, centering on such issues as depiction of arctic peoples and customs by Europeans, documentary vs. artistic goals, translations from original sketches to published images, relationship of polar imagery to prevailing historical styles, and the influence of changing world views on modes of polar representation between the 16th and 20th centuries.
NORS 630 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Economic Issues of the Circumpolar North (3+0)
(Same as ECON 630)
Introduction to economic methods and issues relevant to northern regions. Topics include the optimal depletion of resources, determination of land rents and prices, factors influencing migration and transportation, capital budgeting, and the economic impact of such problems as global warming. This course is designed for students who do not have advanced preparation in either mathematics or economics.
NORS 637 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Geography of Northern Development (3+0)
(Same as GEOG 637)
Focus on spatial patterns of development throughout the northern world. Comparisons of development patterns in different countries and regions will be emphasized, especially alternative settlement patterns and resource development policies. Course will include case studies of contrasting settlement and resource development policies in Greenland, northern Canada, Russia, northern Scandinavia, and Iceland.
NORS 640 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Ethics and Reporting in the Far North (3+0)
(Same as JB 440 and 640)
Historical overview of media coverage of the northern frontier with focus on journalistic ethics. A comparison is made to the media climate in third world countries.
NORS 648 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Environmental Politics of the Circumpolar North (3+0)
(Same as PS 448)
Overview of how environmental politics and policy as a field of study relates to the Arctic region. Analysis of various threats to the northern environment, focusing on the policy making institutions at selected Arctic rim nations, as well as strategies to deal with environmental problems in an international context. (Prerequisite: admission to the Northern Studies graduate program or permission of the instructor.)
NORS 649 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
in the Circumpolar North (3+0)
(Same as PS 449)
Comprehensive survey of political systems in the circumpolar north. Focus on differences in governmental structures in northern countries and on northern politics, especially interest group development and partisan and ideological conflicts. Examination of northern policy issues in such areas as economic development, subsistence protection, environmental regulations, education, and social welfare.
NORS 651 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Law, Justice, and Society in the Circumpolar North (3+0)
(Same as PS 451)
This course analyzes the legal systems and constitutional frameworks of circumpolar countries, with special attention to the status of Native peoples. Questions of individual and collective rights, as well as cultural, environmental, and resource conflicts, will be considered in the context of institutions, policy-making, and legal theory.
NORS 652 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
International Relations of the North (3+0)
(Same as PS 452)
Examination of the international strategies of circumpolar states. Consideration of theoretical and practical elements of strategy formation in major issue areas such as national security, the political economy, human rights, and scientific exchange.
NORS 653 (3 Credits) As Demand Warrants
Greenland: Home Rule and Self-determination (3+0)
The history and political economy of Greenland with emphasis on development of the Home Rule government. Highlights Greenland's dynamic relationship with the world economy and efforts of the Home Rule government to pursue sustainable development. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.)
NORS 661 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
History of Alaska (3+0)
(Same as HIST 461)
Alaska from prehistoric times to the present, including major themes such as Native Alaska, colonial Alaska, military Alaska, statehood, Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act of 1971, and the Alaska National Interest Lands Act of 1980. Also available via Independent Learning.
NORS 662 (3 Credits) Alternate Spring
Alaska Government and Politics (3+0) s
(Same as PS 462)
A comprehensive introduction to Alaska's government and Politics, in the context of American state and local government and politics and governments of circumpolar northern nations. Topics include political history, constitution, political parties, interest groups, elections, public opinion, governor, legislature, judiciary, administration and local governments. Compares Alaska to the contiguous 48 states and subnational governments of the circumpolar North; examines how government institutions and processses respond to social, environmental, and political changes of Northern communities. (Prerequisite: junior standing. Next offered: 1997-98.)
NORS 664 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
History of Russia (3+0)
(Same as HIST 464)
Origin and development of Russia from early times to the present. Emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. (Prerequisites: HIST 101, 102 or permission of the instructor.)
NORS 665 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Russian Eastward Expansion (3+0)
(Same as HIST 465)
A history of Russian exploration, conquest and settlement in Siberia, Central Asia and the Caucasus region, including the impact of this contact on the indigenous peoples and on relations with other countries. (Prerequisites: HIST 101, 102 or permission of the instructor.)
NORS 680 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Comparative Education (3+0)
(Same as ED 680)
Focus on the comparative study and analysis of international systems of public education. National issues to be addressed include social context, gender, ideology, international power, level of development, current issues and problems, and efforts toward reform. National systems to be studied include Japan, the People's Republic of China, and a variety of other national or cross-national studies to be completed by course participants.
NORS 681 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Polar Exploration and its Literature (3+0)
(Same as HIST 481)
A survey of polar exploration efforts of all Western nations from A.D. 870 to the present and a consideration of the historical sources of this effort. Also available via Independent Learning.
NORS 682 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
History of Circumpolar Research (3+0)
(Same as HIST 482 and LS 482)
Studies the history of arctic and subarctic sciences through geological, biological and atmospheric sciences and the people through anthropology, ethnography, linguistics and history. Cold regions engineering and technology research in education, government and law covered. The literature and source material on these fields analyzed. (Prerequisites: HIST 110 or 115 or ANTH 242 or BIOL 104 or permission of instructor.)
NORS 683 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
20th Century Circumpolar History (3+0)
(Same as HIST 483)
A comparative history of the circumpolar north, including Alaska, Siberia, Scandinavia, Greenland and Canada. Focus on social, economic, political and environmental issues of the 20th century, such as exploration, aboriginal land claims, subsistence, military strategy, transportation, oil development, Arctic haze, and scientific research in the Arctic.
NORS 690 (3 Credits) Alternate Years
Researching and Writing Public Northern History (3+0)
(Same as HIST 690)
This course enables students to work with public agencies, under the direction of the instructor, in researching and writing background papers needed by public officials in formulating public policies dealing with a wide range of topics, including, for example, resource utilization and land management. Students acquire and demonstrate research, writing, and problem solving skills).