The Canadian Studies Center has a bunch of exciting Arctic-focused courses on offer for Spring 2023! Each course listed below counts towards the interdisciplinary Arctic Studies Minor. Be sure to register before they fill up!
ARCTIC 391/JSIS B 391/HONORS 391: Climate Change: An International Perspective: Science, Art, and Activism (5 cr.), T/Th 12:30-2:20 p.m., Robert Pavia, UW School of Marine and Environmental Affairs
This course explores the science of climate change in the context of social and political constraints. It further explores the role of art and activism in communicating climate impacts and mitigation options. Students will gain knowledge of key atmospheric and ocean science principles along with developing a greater understanding of contemporary issues in the context of Arctic nations and peoples. Students will develop skills for critically evaluating the popular portrayal of scientific concepts and their role in policy debates.
ARCTIC 401: Current Issues in the Arctic — Arctic Environments (3 cr.), M/W 2:30-4:20pm, Jonathan Peyton, 2023 UW Canada Fulbright Visiting Chair in Arctic Studies
The course will be built around a series of 5-6 invited lectures by colleagues who will speak on the question of “how do different disciplines understand Arctic environments?” We will hear from a wide range of perspectives on Arctic environments including social scientists, colleagues in the environmental humanities, art historians, environmental field scientists, policy and governance experts, and those working closely with communities. The other central component of the course will encourage students to engage critically with different kinds of documents that frame Arctic environments and peoples in different ways – film, policy documents, art, scientific data sets, media portrayals, academic research and more.
JSIS B 103/SMEA 103: Society and the Oceans (5 cr.), M/W/F 1:30-2:50, Brandon Ray
Explores the social, justice, and policy dimensions of the ocean environment and ocean management policy. Pays attention to how human values, institutions, culture, and history shape environmental issues and policy responses. Examines Arctic case studies and influential frameworks, such as the ocean as “tragedy of the commons.”
JSIS B 431/JSIS B 531: International Negotiation Simulation — Arctic (5 cr.), Th 3:30-6:20pm, Robert Pekkanen, Jackson School of International Studies
This course features a weekend-long, in-person international crisis negotiation simulation exercise, implemented in partnership with the U.S. Army War College. The scenario is an international negotiation over the Arctic, with student teams developing throughout the term the negotiation strategies they implement in the exercise. The course emphasizes and develops three skills:
- Negotiation. Students learn and practice strategic negotiation and crisis management techniques.
- Leadership and team building. At two separate junctures in the quarter, students will form teams that must cooperate effectively in the simulation. Students are supported in this skill (and negotiation) with classroom lectures and activities.
- A greater understanding of global complexity and the effort required to resolve a regional crisis in the Arctic that has broad international implications. The specific focus on an international negotiation in the Arctic gives students hands-on experience with international diplomacy and international relations.