West Nordic Studies University of Iceland

Overview

The West Nordic Studies programme at University of Iceland will offer a comparative perspective in meeting the urgent challenges the region is facing today, including the social implications of climate change affecting scarce populations and micro-economies; long distances; limited working opportunities; gender issues in society and education; threats to indigenous culture and societal security; contested issues of identity and cultural heritage; the quest for natural resources; good governance and sustainable management.

Upon successful completion of the programme the student shall:

• Have abilities to understand and meet the complicated challenges of the peripheral regions of the Nordic countries as part of the Circumpolar North complexities.

• Have abilities to manage and link present day issues and past developments on orientation in the major themes of the present debate on societal challenges.

• Have a comparative perspective in meeting the urgent challenges the region is facing today, including the cultural, social, legal and political implications of climate change affecting scarce populations and micro-economies; long distances; limited working opportunities; gender issues in society and education; threats to indigenous culture and societal security; contested issues of identity and cultural heritage; the quest for natural resources; good governance and sustainable management.

• Have hands-on experience of contextual local knowledge in at least two different West Nordic Countries (Faroe Islands, Greenland, Iceland or Norway).

• Have general knowledge and understanding of scientific methodology, theories and research traditions in multidisciplinary fields.