Vår 2023

SVF-8059 Theorizing and applying critical indigenous philosophies - 5 stp

The course is administrated by

Senter for samiske studier

Type of course

This is a PhD singular course open to doctoral degree students.

Course contents

The course will take its starting point in Sápmi and focus on theories of knowledge and different knowledge systems, the application of knowledge and different approaches to Indigenous methodologies, as well as how these can be integrated and applied as analytical tools in Indigenous research.

Application deadline

Ph.d.-students at UiT register for class and examination in Studentweb by February 1.

Other applicants: December 1st

Application code 9301 in Søknadsweb

Admission requirements

PhD students or holders of a Norwegian Master´s Degree of five years or 3+2 years (or equivalent) may be admitted. PhD students must upload a document from their university stating that they are registered PhD students.

Holders of a Master´s Degree must upload a Master´s Diploma with Diploma Supplement / English translation of the diploma. Applicants from listed countries must document proficiency in English. To find out if this applies to you

see this list

For more information on accepted English proficiency tests and scores, as well as exemptions from the English proficiency tests, please see

this document

The course has 15 seats. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available on the PhD course, applicants will be ranked from category 1 to 4.

Category 1: People admitted to the PhD Programme at UiT

Category 2: Participants in the Associate Professor Programme that fulfil the educational requirements

Category 3: Doctoral students from other universities. Arctic Five universities, Nord University, and The Sámi University of Applied Sciences have priority.

Category 4: People with a minimum of a Master´s Degree (or equivalent). (A Norwegian Master´s Degree of 5 years or 3 (Bachelor Degree) + 2 years (Master’s Degree).

Objective of the course

By the end of the course the student has obtained the following:

Knowledge: The student has

an overview of the history of indigenous research and methodologies, and of their place in the history of science and philosophy.
insights into challenges related to different and complex forms of knowledge, and into the application and communication of traditional and indigenous knowledge.

Skills: The student is able to / can

analyze and compare the complexity of indigenous contexts taking into account the different colonial histories and current situations.
apply findings and challenges from indigenous methodologies in context specific research projects, including boundaries and problems.
consider and discuss the use of indigenous methodologies and philosophies in research.
reflect upon his/her role as researcher and on the ethical discussions of doing research on indigenous issues.

Competence: The student is able to / may

recognise the complexity of indigenous contexts and take them as starting points for research, as well as letting the research be informed by indigenous methodologies.
apply the subject-specific discussions on comprehending methodological approaches and ethics to understanding the development of indigenous rights.

assess the appropriateness and application of methodological approaches in the normative struggle of promoting indigenous rights.
compare the complexity of indigenous situations, and to participate in high-level discussions about different methodological approaches.

Language of instruction

English

Teaching methods

The course will consist of an online full-day seminar and a two-day physical course wherein lectures, workshops, and peer-learning sessions will be the teaching methods. The lectures aim to provide an overview of main issues, to initiate discussion, and to set an agenda. The workshops aim to bring together experiences from different disciplines, research projects, and indigenous contexts. They also aim to let the candidates develop and increase their knowledge through conversations and encounters. The peer-learning sessions provide the candidates with the opportunity to have and give feedback on their own writing.

Date for examination

Off campus exam hand in date 19.06.2023

The date for the exam can be changed. The final date will be announced at your faculty early in May and early in November.