Indigenous Culture, Resource Management and Human Rights
About the course
The course is part of the International Master of Philosophy in Indigenous Studies (MIS).
It is also optional within the Master in Social Anthropology .
The course may also be part of other disciplinary Master programmes within Social Sciences and Humanities and may be taken as a single course.
The course provides an overview of traditional resource management practices among indigenous peoples, with particular focus on small-scale economies including hunting and gathering, fishing, shifting cultivation, and pastoralism. We explore the connection between these land- (and sea-) based subsistence strategies and other aspects of culture and identity, including social and political structures, traditional knowledge systems, education, language, and cosmology.
Today, these lifeways and cultures are under threat from a number of sources including: intensive resource extraction (mining, logging, oil), large-scale development projects (dams, transportation), environmental issues (pollution, climate change, conservation efforts), and resource competition from neighboring groups. In this course we will identify global processes affecting indigenous lands and livelihood, including political-economic trends and the indigenous rights movement. We will look at how these processes take shape locally, through study of relevant UN mechanisms, regional courts and commissions, and specific local case studies.
Admission requirements
Admission requires a bachelor's degree (180 ECTS), or an equivalent qualification, with a minimum of 80 ECTS within social sciences, humanities, education or the social practice of law. Applicants with a Norwegian study background need an average minimum grade of C or better from the bachelor's degree to be admitted to the master's program. Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in Europe, Canada, USA, Australia and New Zealand need an average grade of C or better on the ECTS scale. Applicants who hold a bachelor's degree or equivalent issued in countries other than the above mentioned must have an average grade of B or better on the ECTS scale.
May be taken as a single course. Application code 9371.
Objectives of the course
Students who successfully complete this course should have achieved the following learning outcomes:
Knowledge
- to explain the main economic and ecological characteristics of different types of indigenous resource management systems
- to be aware of the ethnographic literature of several indigenous societies across the world
- to describe the unique way that indigenous identities are invigorated by resource use paradigms
Analytical understanding
- to be able to describe the substantive differences and similarities between traditional ecological knowledge and scientific, positivist knowledge
- to be able compare vocabularies relating to human rights and property rights to concepts used within traditional management institutions
- to be able to compare the institutional resource management practices of different indigenous societies across the world
Skills and competences
- to be able to assess the impacts that global management models and external encroachment are having upon indigenous peoples
- to be able to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of different institutions protecting land and water-use rights, offering co-management, or protecting nature
- to be able to assist indigenous peoples to best present evidence to protect their political and legal rights.
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:
- SOA-3006 Indigenous Culture and Ethnicity 10 ects
- SOA-3008 Culture, Ethnicity and Indigenous Rights 5 ects
Teaching methods
Language of instruction and examination
English.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 for inbound exchange students.
Do you have questions about this module? Please check the following website to contact the course coordinator for exchange students at the faculty: INBOUND STUDENT MOBILITY: COURSE COORDINATORS AT THE FACULTIES | UiT
Examination
| Off campus exam | Duration: 1 Weeks Weighting: 0/1 |
Grade: A–E, fail F |
| Oral exam | Weighting: 1/1 |
Grade: A–E, fail F |
To take an examination, the student must have passed the following coursework requirements
| Individual written assignments/reports. | Grade: Approved – not approved |
Everything you need to know about before, during, and after the exam; registration, absence, appeals, and diplomas: UiT Exams homepage