Course code: SOA-1006

Arctic Norway - Aspects of Culture

Apply between July 20 and August 9
Campus Tromsø
Semester / Year Autumn 2026
Duration 1 semester
Level Grunnleggende emner, nivå I
Credits 10

About the course

This course is compulsory for students in the Social Anthropology bachelor's programme.

The course can be taken as a singular course.

The anthropological perspective in the course focuses on cultural and political dynamics in the region as they unfold between people of Saami, Norwegian and Finnish origins with main focus on the Saami situation. Historical processes of dialogic transformation, and changing public policies, are related to contemporary manifestations of cultural variations and ethnic revitalisation.

After a period of Norwegian enforcement of Saami assimilation, the cultural and ethnic revitalisation now taking place signifies a major change in ethnic relationships in the North. Different aspects of this general political development will be debated.

The course considers social, cultural and religious characteristics that may impact minority, economic and political position, complexities in identity formation and different types of representation.

Admission requirements

Higher Education Entrance Qualification (generell studiekompetanse) or prior learning and work experience (realkompetanse).

Application code: 9199 - Enkeltemner (ikke realfag), lavere grad (Nordic applicants).

Objectives of the course

Students who complete the course have the following learning outcome:

Knowledge

  • have basic knowledge about the cultural complexity of Northern Norway with special focus on the historical and contemporary situation of the minorities of the region
  • have basic knowledge of the main ecological adaptive strategies over time, and some basic knowledge of the complexity and varying challenges in economics, cultural expressions and rights issues in a global context

Skills

  • have skills in reading ethnographic texts and other scientific papers and relating them analytically to each other
  • have skills in analysing different types of representations with special focus on museum exhibitions

Competences

  • improved analytical competence and particularly analytically understanding of processes related to cultural similarities and differences in the area of focus
  • have competence in communicating and discussing different explanations of social phenomena
  • be able to use concepts and theories related to ethnicity in their analysis in further study

Credit reduction

If you pass the examination in this course, you will get an reduction in credits (as stated below), if you previously have passed the following courses:

  • SVF-6011 10 ects
  • SOA-1005 Anthropological perspectives on Saami society and culture 5 ects

Teaching methods

Approximately 20 hours of lectures.

Recommended reading/syllabus

Du kan se og få tilgang til deler av pensum via Leganto.

Pensumliste for SOA-1006 - Arctic Norway - Aspects of Culture (HØST 2026)

Schedule

The schedules are normally finalized and published well in advance of the start of the semester, often a few weeks beforehand. This gives students the opportunity to organize their studies and prepare for upcoming activities.

It is recommended to check the schedule regularly, as changes may occur.

Information to incoming exchange students

This course is open to incoming exchange students.

Study Level: Bachelor's

Some courses offered to exchange students have specific prerequisites. You can find these listed under the “Admission requirements” section. Please read this information carefully before selecting your courses.

For details on how to apply for exchange, course selection guidelines, or to contact the Incoming Admissions Team, please visit: Admissions for Student Exchange.

Examination

Off campus exam
Hand in: 27.11.2026 14:00 Hand out: 20.11.2026 09:00
Varighet: 7 Days Karakterskala: A–E, fail F

Alt du trenger å vite om før, under og etter eksamen, oppmelding, fravær klage og vitnemål: UiT Exams homepage

Re-sit examination

The course is open for re-sit examination if there are students that due to sickness are entitled to a postponed examination.

Previous years and semesters

Kontakt oss

Responsible unit: Institutt for samfunnsvitenskap E-post: hsl-instadm@uit.no Telefon: 77660793