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 205 3 Credits
(Cross-listed with PS 205))
Leadership, Citizenship and Choice
History of democratic principles in America and how people can contribute to
political and community life in the local, state and national arenas, as leaders
and citizens. Examines ethical dilemmas of leadership and politics and social
issues facing Alaskan and American societies. Course includes an experiential
learning component. (3 + 0) Offered Spring
NORS 432 3 Credits
(Stacked with NORS 632 and NRM 632 and cross-listed with NRM 432)
Literature of Science and the Environment (h)
Reading, analysis and discussion of classic and contemporary works in science,
natural history and environmental literature. Some semesters all of the readings
will follow one theme; other semesters a variety of fiction, poetry, oral tradition
and nonfiction will be considered. Readings are selected from a spectrum of
opinion on the relationship of people to the natural world and both analyical
and creative writing are required. Resource management professionals and students
in the sciences and humanities are welcome. May be repeated once for additional
credit. (Prerequisite: Senior standing or permission of the instructior. Next
offered: 2004-05.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 470 3 Credits
Oral Sources; Issues in Documentation
(Cross-listed with ANTH 470 and stacked with NORS 670)
Preparation for recording and use of oral resources. Examines how meaning is
conveyed through oral traditions and personal narratives and the issues involved
with recording and reproducing narratives. Includes management of oral recordings,
ethical and legal considerations, issues of interpretation and censorship,
and the use of new technologies to access and deliver recordings. (Prerequisite:
At least one undergraduate ANTH course and one undergraduate HIST course, or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NORS 484W 3 Credits
Seminar in Northern Studies (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. (Prerequisites: ENGL
111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X; at least junior standing; or permission
of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NORS 486 3 Credits
Senior Seminar in Leadership and Civic Engagement (s)
Students are placed in contact with government and other agencies
where they will gain practical experience applying principles of leadership
and civic engagement. This is the capstone course for the minor in
Leadership and Civic Engagement. (Prerequisite: NORS/PS 205. Recommended:
The student’s elective choices in the minor. Next offered: 2004-05.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 600 3 Credits
Perspectives on the North
(Cross-listed with 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.Course is also available online. (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NORS 601 3 Credits
Research Methods and Sources in the North
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. Course is also
available online. (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NORS 610 3 Credits
Northern Indigenous People and Contemporary Issues
(Cross-listed with 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.
(Prerequisites: Graduate standing or upper division with permission of instructor.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NORS 613 3 Credits
Wilderness and Environmental Psychology
Examines the relationships between people and the natural and built
environments. Topics include the effects of arctic environments on
physical and psychological health, preferences for different types
of natural settings, the design of residential and community environments
in northern climates, and the symbolism of settings and effects on
political controversies. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing. Next offered:
2004-05.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NORS 614 3 Credits
Human Adaptation to the Circumpolar North
(Cross-listed with 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. (3 + 0)
Offered As Demand Warrants
NORS 616 6 Credits
Performance Studies Abroad
(Stacked with THR 416W)
Intensive course for actors, directors, designers, technicians and playwrights
interested in script development/training with the participation of international
theatre professionals. Develop new scripts and performances in a multicultural
environment under the supervision of a theatre faculty member. Previous faculty
and student work abroad includes: Russia, Zambia, South Africa and Scandinavia.
Course requirements vary according to the project. (3 + 9) Offered
As Demand Warrants
NORS 620 3 Credits
Images of the North
(Cross-listed with 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. (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 624 3 Credits
Field Artists of the North
(Stacked with ART 424O and cross-listed with ART 624)
Study of field artists and their work, from the explorer artists of yesteryear
to today’s field artists using a variety of traditional and contemporary
media in their creations. Students will conceive and conduct their own study
projects, producing a body of work that will demonstrate the principles and
practice of a field artist. (Prerequisites: ART 105 and a studio art course
(ART 161, 162, 163, 205, 211, 213) or JRN 203.) (3 + 0) Offered As
Demand Warrants
NORS 625 3 Credits
Visual Images of the North
(Cross-listed with 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. (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
NORS 627 3 Credits
Geography of Cold Lands
(Cross-listed with GEOG 627 and stacked with GEOG 427)
Comparative physical, human and economic geography of cold regions in the north,
especially Canada, Siberia, Greenland and Scandinavia. Special attention given
to spatial patterns of settlement and natural resource development. (Prerequisite:
Graduate standing or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring
NORS 632 3 Credits
(Stacked with NORS 432 and NRM 432 and cross-listed with NRM 632)
Literature of Science and the Environment (h)
Reading, analysis and discussion of classic and contemporary works
in science, natural history and environmental literature. Some semesters
all of the readings will follow one theme; other semesters a variety
of fiction, poetry, oral tradition and nonfiction will be considered.
Readings are selected from a spectrum of opinion on the relationship
of people to the natural world and both analyical and creative writing
are required. Resource management professionals and students in the
sciences and humanities are welcome. May be repeated once for additional
credit. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of the instructior.
Next offered: 2004-05.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 640 3 Credits
Ethics and Reporting in the Far North
(Stacked with JRN 440 and cross-listed with JRN 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. (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Year
NORS 647 3 Credits
U.S. Environmental Politics
(Stacked with PS 447)
Examination of U.S. political institutions as they relate to making policies
for protecting the quality the natural environment. Issues include the politics
of nuclear waste, endangered species, air and water pollution, and wilderness
preservation. Includes analysis of the National Environmental Policy Act, sustainable
development, the limits to growth and other topics. Course is also available
online. (Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. Recommended:
PS 101. Next offered: 2005-06.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 648 3 Credits
Environmental Politics of the Circumpolar North
(Stacked with 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. Course is also available online. Check with department. (Prerequisite:
Admission to the Northern Studies graduate program or permission of instructor.
Next Offered: 200405) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 652 3 Credits
International Relations of the North
(Stacked with 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. (Next offered: 2004-05.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 653 3 Credits
Greenland: Home Rule and Self-determination
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.) (3 + 0) Offered As
Demand Warrants
NORS 654 3 Credits
International Law and the Environment
(Stacked with PS 454)
International environmental law. International case law regulating the sea,
airspace, outer space and the polar regions. Includes comprehensive international
regulatory legal instruments to protect the environment (e.g. the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change), and the doctrines, principles and
rules of international law that are basic to an understanding of international
legal regimes and the environment. Course is also available online. Check with
department. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing and permission of instructor.
Recommended: Undergraduate course in international law, organization or politics.
Next offered: 2004-05.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall
NORS 655 3 Credits
Political Economy of the Global Environment
(Stacked with PS 455)
Exploration of the interactions between basic aspects of the global economy
(international trade, investment and development) and the natural environment.
Topics include the economic impact of global environmental agreements and the
environmental impact of global markets, transnational corporations and development
assistance by organizations such as the World Bank. (Prerequisite: Graduate
standing and permission of instructor. Next offered: 2004-05.) (3 + 0)
Offered Alternate Fall
NORS 656 3 Credits
Science, Technology and Politics
(Stacked with PS 456)
Relationship of science, technology and politics: connections among scientific
knowledge, technology, technological innovations, politics and power. Includes
historical and comparative aspects. Course is also available online. Check
with department. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.
Recommended: PS 101. Next offered: 2005-06.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Spring
NORS 658 3 Credits
Comparative Environmental Politics
(Stacked with PS 458)
Seminar with emphasis on enduring issues of the field of comparative politics
and their relation to global environmental problems such as biodiversity, transboundary
pollution and climate warming. Explores how state-society relations, political
institutions, national political capacity, political processes and organizations,
and international commitments potentially shape the nature and dynamics of
global environmental politics and vise versa. Course is also available online.
(Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. Recommended:
PS 201 or equivalent comparative politics course. Next offered: 2005-06.) (3 + 0)
Offered Alternate Fall
NORS 660 3 Credits
Government and Politics of Canada
(Stacked with PS 460W)
A detailed examination of the Canadian political system, covering the Canadian
constitution, the federal structure, parliamentary government and public policy,
as well as contemporary issues concerning Native rights and the Canadian North.
Students will complete a major research paper on specific policy areas (language,
education, health care, environment, natural resources, foreign relations).
(Prerequisite: PS 201 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2004-05.)
(3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 661 3 Credits
History of Alaska
(Stacked with HIST 461W)
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. (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NORS 662 3 Credits
Alaska Government and Politics
(Stacked with 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 processes respond to social, environmental and
political changes of Northern communities. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing
or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2004-05.) (3 + 0) Offered
Alternate Spring
NORS 663 3 Credits
Foundations of Russian History
(Stacked with HIST 463)
The foundations of Russian society and the modern Russian state from the earliest
recorded events through the early 19th century. Topics include the Scythians
and Khazars, the rise of the Kievan state, Mongol domination of Russia, the
rise of Muscovy, the creation of the Russian Empire under the Romanov dynasty,
ethnic and social diversity, the impact of the Napoleonic invasion, and the
influence of western European ideas in Russia. (Prerequisite: HIST 275 or permission
of instructor. Next offered: 2004–05.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Fall
NORS 664 3 Credits
Modern Russia (s)
(Stacked with HIST 464)
Russia from the early 19th century to the present. Themes include politics,
culture and society in the Russian Empire, the Russian Revolution, the Soviet
Union and the Russian Federation (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission
of instructor. Next offered: 2005-06.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate
Spring
NORS 668 3 Credits
Government and Politics of Russia
(Stacked with PS 468W)
An examination of current developments in Russia from a number of perspectives:
the effect of history and geography on political change; the nature of Russian
government and society; the legacies of Lenin, Stalin, Gorbachev and the ideological
nature of regimes and leadership; economic forces and the political struggle
in governance; revolution, democracy and reform; and the international role
of Russia, particularly in relation to the former Soviet republics, Eastern
Europe and other border areas. (Prerequisites: PS 201 or permission of instructor.
Next offered: 2004-05.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 670 3 Credits
Oral Sources; Issues in Documentation
(Cross-listed with ANTH 670 and stacked with ANTH 470)
Preparation for recording and use of oral resources. Examines how meaning is
conveyed through oral traditions and personal narratives and the issues involved
with recording and reproducing narratives. Includes management of oral recordings,
ethical and legal considerations, issues of interpretation and censorship,
and the use of new technologies to access and deliver recordings. (Prerequisite:
At least one undergraduate ANTH course and one undergraduate HIST course, or
permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NORS 672 3 Credits
Culture and History in the North Atlantic
(Stacked with ANTH 472 and cross-listed with ANTH 672)
Ancient Norse culture and society. Includes readings of Old Norse poetry and
Icelandic sagas in translation, with secondary analyses and archaeological
background. Includes Greenlandic myths and contemporary ethnographic accounts
of Iceland, Greenland and the Faroe Islands. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing
or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 680 3 Credits
Comparative Education
(Cross-listed with 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. (3 + 0) Offered Fall
NORS 681 3 Credits
Polar Exploration and its Literature
(Stacked with 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. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or
permission of instructor. (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 683 3 Credits
20th Century Circumpolar History
(Stacked with HIST 483W)
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. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing
or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring
NORS 687 2 Credits
Alaska Research Resources
(Stacked with LS 487)
Find, use and evaluate primary sources in the Alaska and Polar Regions Department
of the Rasmuson library over the Internet. Student pursues own topics and findings
may be used to support research in other courses. (2 + 0) Offered
Spring
NORS 690 3 Credits
Researching and Writing Public Northern History
(Stacked with HIST 490)
Exploration of the craft and methodology of historical research in the North.
Course may be repeated for credit when content varies. (Prerequisite: Graduate
standing or permission of instructor.) (1 + 3) Offered Alternate
Spring