Course Syllabus

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2025 - DIS Copenhagen
Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits
Major Disciplines:

Political Science, International Relations, Environmental Studies 
Prerequisites:

None
Faculty Members:

Steen Kjærgaard, Camilla T.N. Sørensen

Students use the canvas inbox to contact.
Time & Place: Tuesdays & Fridays 1315-1435. Classroom: N7-D10

 

Course description

Given the tremendous effects of climate change and the resurgence of geopolitics, the Arctic region is undergoing rapid transformation. Viewed through the lens of national security and military strategy, it is highly dynamic and unpredictable carrying significant implications, not only for the Arctic people and states, but also for the global community.

As the climate changes, the Arctic becomes more accessible, presenting new opportunities and challenges. The region is rich in valuable mineral and energy resources, and the emergence of new sea routes holds the promise of shorter travel distances between Europe and Asia. These changes also significantly impact research activities and military operations.

Since the end of the Cold War, the region has not figured high on the great powers’ national security agenda nor been a military priority. This has made it possible for the smaller Arctic states to take the lead in strengthening Arctic multilateral cooperation. The key Arctic governance institution – the Arctic Council – was established in 1996 to promote coordination and cooperation among the Arctic states and other stakeholders, especially on Arctic climate research, Arctic environmental protection, and Arctic coast guard assistance. Despite growing security tension outside the Arctic, the eight Arctic states – the U.S., Russia, Canada, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and the Kingdom of Denmark – have for years managed to guard Arctic cooperation. They have had a joint interest in both keeping Arctic governance in the hands of Arctic states and maintaining the region as a low-tension area.

However, this 'Arctic exceptionalism' has come under increasing pressure in recent years. The great powers – the U.S., Russia, and China – are showing a growing interest in the region, which is also moving up on their national security agenda. This shift – combined with the deteriorating relations between the U.S. and the broader West and NATO on one side and China and Russia on the other – is leading to growing mistrust and security tension as well as military build-up, which complicates, if not outright undermines, the efforts of smaller Arctic states to guard Arctic cooperation.  

Since the Russian full-blown invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Arctic Council has thus been put on pause, and all the militaries of the Arctic states – and other NATO member states – are increasing their focus on the region further fuelling the military build-up and the number of military exercises in the region. While a large-scale military confrontation in the Arctic is unlikely, there is a growing risk of clashes and conflicts caused by unintended accidents or intentional hybrid activities escalating.

Geopolitics increasingly frames how the Arctic states approach the region, which also brings with it new dynamics and challenges within several of the Arctic states and in particular those that have strong Arctic indigenous communities. The legitimacy and interpretation of legal frameworks, e.g., treaties and conventions, are increasingly up for debate both among and within the Arctic states as well as outside of the region. 

This course offers an introduction to Arctic geopolitics following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, focusing on how the growing security tension and military conflict between the great powers manifest in the region. We set out to explore the complexities between global, regional, and national security dynamics and military concerns and priorities by applying various concepts and theories from Political Science, International Relations (IR,) and Military Strategy, as well as historical knowledge and cases. 

Instructors

Steen Kjærgaard, Master of Arts in International Security from the University of Leicester (UK) 2018.  Military officer. Military Academy, Bachelor 1996.  Joint Command and Staff College masters degree, 2010. Works at the Royal Danish Defense College, as a military analyst. Academic focus on strategic issues such as military security, Arctic security, and International Law. Served in the Danish Defense Intelligence Service. With DIS since 2018.

Camilla T. N. Sørensen, Doctor (PhD) in Political Science from the University of Copenhagen in 2008. Currently works at the Royal Danish Defense College as an associate professor within international security and military strategy with a specific focus on China, East Asia, and the Arctic. Has solid experience in planning and conducting courses on a broad range of topics related to international politics and security in various and often very diverse settings. With DIS since 2023.

Learning objectives of the course

Through this course, students will acquire:

An understanding of key issues, challenges, and developments in Arctic security and governance, including:

  • The relevance of the Arctic in the current geopolitical context.
  • The evolving Arctic security context with a focus on the effect of climate change and the return of geopolitics.
  • The politics and strategies of the great powers, i.e. the U.S., China, and Russia, in the Arctic.
  • The development of the Arctic governance regime with a focus on the Arctic Council.
  • The end of Arctic low-tension i.e. Arctic exceptionalism, due to growing security tension and great power competition. 
  • The challenges and opportunities for smaller Arctic states.
  • The Kingdom of Denmark, including the U.S. presence in Greenland over time. 

Competence:

Upon completion of the course, the students should be able to draw on historical knowledge and cases as well as concepts and theories from Political Science, International Relations (IR), and Military Strategy to critically analyze and evaluate current events and future perspectives related to Arctic geopolitics.

  Structure

The course is structured over seven themes:

  1. Introduction to the Arctic Geopolitics – defining the Arctic and defining Geopolitics
  2. The opening or changing Arctic under pressure with a focus on the effect of climate change on e.g. resource extraction and shipping routes. 
  3. Arctic security in the context of great power competition – the policies and strategies of the great powers.
  4. Arctic security in the context of great power competition – the implications for the smaller Arctic states, including their policies and strategies
  5. End of Arctic low-tension or Arctic exceptionalism – the evolving Arctic governance regime and the role of non-Arctic governance regimes and institutions
  6. Current key developments and cases, i.e., growing strategic cooperation between Russia and China, NATO's evolving role in the Arctic, intensifying controversy over Svalbard, and the evolving role of the EU in the Arctic
  7. The Kingdom of Denmark – Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands – as an Arctic state and the changing role and influence of the U.S.  

Readings

The readings comprise book chapters, academic articles, policy reports, and news articles. There is no textbook to pick up during the arrivals workshop.

Full list:

Approach to teaching

Class sessions will include short lectures by the course instructor, academic discussions, group work, guest lectures, field studies, creative assignments, and simulation games. 

Our classes will follow the "flipped classroom" method - see   https://bokcenter.harvard.edu/flipped-classrooms (link to an external site).

Come well-prepared and willing to share your knowledge and insights.

 Expectations of the students

It is expected that all students actively participate in class: do the readings for each class; bring notes and questions for the course instructor and other students; and actively and responsibly participate in their study group, class discussions, and other activities.

Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on: 

 

 

 

 

DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Course Summary:

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