Faculty Course: The Imagined Arctic, 7.5 Credits

Contents

The course addresses outsiders´ representations of the Arctic in a selection of Anglophone fictional and non-fictional texts from the 19th century until today. Arctic discourses connected to, for example, cold, gendered heroism, madness, and climate change are traced through history, from expedition narratives to contemporary predominantly speculative fiction.

The course consists of a shorter introductory part, followed by two in-depth parts and a final longer essay:

1. Introduction, 1 cr
2. Historical Representation, 2 credits
3. Contemporary Representation, 2 credits
4. Essay, 2.5 credits

Expected learning outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes
To be awarded a Pass grade, the student should be able to:

Knowledge and understanding

• exemplify and account for literary and cultural representations of the Arctic
• identify discourses connected to the Arctic
• account for how cultural and historical traditions are expressed in the materials

Competence and skills

• independently analyze the source materials
• discuss how discourses connected to the Arctic change over time or remain static
• relate to relevant research to forward an academic argument
• present written analyses of primary and secondary sources in an advanced academic manner

Judgement and approach

• critically examine primary sources as expressions of cultural contexts
• critically examine scholarly argumentation

Required Knowledge

one of the following alternatives:
1) Bachelor's degree (180 credits)
2) 90 university credits, of which at least 7,5 credits must come from an independent project, or equivalent qualifications
Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B/6

Form of instruction

Form of instruction

Instruction consists of independent studies and group discussions via a learning platform. The student is expected to actively participate in discussions and complete written assignments. This is to be done within specified time frames. The medium of instruction is English and a knowledge of Swedish is not required.

Examination modes

Part 1: Examination consists of assessment of the student's active participation in group discussions on the learning platform.

Part 2: Examination consists of assessment of the student's active participation in group discussions and of their individual written assignments. The final assessment will take the students active participant and written work into account. 

Part 3: Examination consists of assessment of the student's active participation in group discussions and of their individual written assignments. The final assessment will take the students active participant and written work into account 

Part 4: The examination in an individual written assignment.

Deviations from modes of examination in the course plan can be made for a student who has been determined eligible for pedagogical support due to a disability. Individual adjustments to the mode of examination will be made on the basis of the student's needs. The mode of examination is adjusted in relation to the expected learning outcomes in the course plan. Students who need an adapted examination must request adaptation from the department responsible for the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on an adapted examination, which is then communicated to the student. 

Grades awarded in the examination of part 1 are Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd). Grades awarded in the examination of parts 2, 3 and 4 are Pass with distinction (Väl godkänd), Pass (Godkänd) or Fail (Underkänd). In order to be awarded the grade Pass with Distinction on the entire course, a student must have achieved that grade on one of the parts 2 and 3, and on part 4.

A student who is awarded a Pass grade cannot be re-examined.

A student who has not received a Pass grade on a test has the right to re-take the test (a re-sit). The first re-sit will be arranged no later than two months after the original test, but no earlier than ten working days after the result of the original test has been announced. For tests held in May or June, the first re-sit is to be arranged within three months of the original examination session. The date for the re-sit will be provided, at the latest, in conjunction the original test.

At least one more re-sit must be offered within one year of the regular examination. In cases where a test cannot be repeated according to rules in effect regarding re-sits, it will be replaced with another task. The scope and content of such a task should be proportionate to the missed test.

An examiner may decide that a student who has not quite met the examination requirements, but is close to a Pass grade, be given the opportunity to take a supplementary examination to achieve the Pass grade. Such an examination shall be individually tailored to the goal(s) that the student has not met, and shall be arranged within two weeks after the result of the examination has been announced, but before the next examination session. A supplementary examination can only raise a Fail grade to a Pass grade; award of a grade higher than Pass is not allowed. If the student so wishes, they have the right to take a re-sit instead of a supplementary examination, which gives them the opportunity to achieve a Pass with Distinction.

Other regulations

The final date for the submission/completion of assignments falls on the last day of the semester, unless otherwise stated by the teacher. All assignments need to be completed or submitted within the time frame set by the teacher in order to be considered for examination, otherwise they must be completed over again.

In the event of a decision that the course will no longer be offered, or if the syllabus has been revised, students are guaranteed at least three exams (including the regular one) based on the previous syllabus during a time of no more than two years after the previous syllabus ceased to apply or the decision was made that the course no longer be offered.