Course Syllabus
Draft syllabus
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Semester & Location: |
Summer 2026 - DIS Copenhagen |
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Type & Credits: |
3 credits |
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Major Disciplines: |
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Pre-requisite |
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Co-requisite course: |
Kalaallit Nunaat: Greenland’s History, Culture and People |
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Faculty Members: |
Alexander Hviid |
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Time & Place: |
Copenhagen and Greenland. More info to come |
Course description
With the resurgence of geopolitics and the effects of climate change, the Arctic region is undergoing rapid transformation. The region is highly dynamic and unpredictable carrying significant implications, not only for the indigenous population and states, but also for the global community.
As the climate changes, the Arctic becomes more accessible, presenting both 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 significantly impact food supply routes and military operations.
Geopolitically, the Arctic has not figured high on the great powers’ national security agenda nor been a military priority. This is changing, however, and the U.S., Russia, and China are showing a growing interest in the Arctic in general and Greenland in particular. This shift – combined with the deteriorating relations between the U.S. and Europe 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. It is also within this context that countries like Greenland explores its possibilities for full independence.
This course explores 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. Most of the course will be taught in Greenland and we’ll visit with Greenlandic politicians, activists, scholars and entrepreneurs to explore the complexities of how global geopolitics play out in this specific Arctic setting.
Instructor
Alexander Hviid, M.Sc. (International Security & Law, University of Southern Denmark, 2016) M.A. (Social Science, University of Copenhagen, 2010). Research interests include Arctic security and Danish-Greenlandic relations as well as public international law, specifically international criminal law and international humanitarian law. Work experience with the Institute for Strategy at the Royal Danish Defence College. With DIS since 2016.
Learning objectives of the course
You will acquire a thorough, cross-disciplinary understanding of key issues, challenges and developments in Arctic regional security and governance with a special emphasis on Greenland. You will be able to critically examine the shifting geopolitics of the Arctic by exploring sovereignty disputes, indigenous perspectives, and the strategic interests of global powers amid climate change and resource competition.
At the end of the course, you will be able to draw on historical knowledge, international relations theory and public international law to critically analyze and evaluate current events and future perspectives in the Arctic.
Readings
All readings for the course will be posted on DIS Canvas and comprise of book chapters, academic articles, and policy reports. There is no textbook.
Full list:
BBC: Danes struggle with response to Trump Greenland Threat: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp313e41jy1oLinks to an external site.
Walt, Stephen M. (1998): International Relations: One world, many theories. Foreign Policy, Spring 1998; 110
Mearsheimer (2014): The Liberal Delusions that Provoked Putin, Foreign Affairs
Simpson (2023): The Rise and Sudden Fall of the Arctic Council. Foreign Policy
Kenneth J. Bird et al. (2008): Circum-Arctic Resource Appraisal: Estimates of Undiscovered Oil and Gas North of the Arctic Circle. US Department of the Interior, US Geological Survey.
Keil, Kathrin (2015): Economic Potential in Jokela, Juha (2015): “Arctic Security Matters”, European Union Institute for Strategic Studies, report no. 24:
Rowe, Mark (2022): Arctic Nations are Squaring Up to Exploit the Region's Rich Natural Resources.
Keil, Kathrin (2015): Economic Potential in Jokela, Juha (2015): “Arctic Security Matters”, European Union Institute for Strategic Studies, report no. 24: p. 26-31.
Hill, LaNore & Veronneau (2015): Northern Sea Route: an overview of transportation risks, safety and security. Journal of Transport and Security 8: 69-78
High North News (2021): Northern Sea Route Transit Traffic Remains Modest. https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/northern-sea-route-transit-traffic-remains-modestLinks to an external site.
Sullivan (1979): Soviet Strategy and NATO's Northern Flank. US Naval War College
Kelly, Lidia, and Jamie Freed. “NATO’s Steadfast Defender Exercises Mark Return to Cold War Schemes, Russia Says.” Reuters, January 21, 2024. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/natos-steadfast-defender-exercises-mark-return-cold-war-schemes-russia-says-2024-01-21/Links to an external site..
Baudu (2023): Minding the Archipelago: What Svalbard means to NATO. Arctic Review on Law and Politics
English, John (2016): “Emergence of an Arctic Council.” In D.A. Berry et al. (eds.), Governing the North American Arctic – Sovereignty, Security & Institutions. Palgrave Macmillan: Oxford.
The Arctic Institute (2019): Form and Function: the Future of the Arctic Council.
Koivurova, Timo (2022): Is it possible to continue cooperating with Russia in the Arctic Council? https://gjia.georgetown.edu/2022/06/29/is-it-possible-to-continue-cooperating-with-russia-in-the-arctic-council/Links to an external site.
Denmark apologizes to children taken from Greenland in a 1950s social experiment: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55238090Links to an external site.
Naalakkersuisut/Government of Greenland: Greenland's Foreign, Security and Defense Policy 2024-2033:
'Angry Inouk' (2016) documentary by Canadian Inuit director Alethea Arnaquq-Baril.
Last (2022): The Ukraine War is dividing Europe’s Arctic Indigenous Peoples: https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/27/russia-ukraine-war-saami-indigenous-arctic-people-norway-sweden-finland/Links to an external site.
Larasati (2023): Russo-Ukrainian War and the Indigenous Arctic Population’s Human Security: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2023/06/09/russo-ukrainian-war-and-the-indigenous-arctic-populations-human-security/Links to an external site.
Doshi, Dale-Huang & Zhang (2021). Northern Expedition: China's Arctic Activities and Ambitions.
Toemmerbakke, Siri (2019). Strong Chinese reactions to Pompeo's Speech. https://www.highnorthnews.com/en/strong-chinese-reactions-pompeos-speechLinks to an external site.
Russia-China Joint Statement on International Relations, February 4, 2022
Lanteigne (2024): A China-Russia Arctic Alliance? Not So Fast. A China-Russia Arctic Alliance? Not So Fast. – The DiplomatLinks to an external site.
Pan (2024): Why China now wants to put some limits on its 'no limits' friendship with Russia. https://www.unsw.edu.au/newsroom/news/2024/10/why-china-now-wants-to-put-some-limits-on-its-no-limits-friendship-with-russiaLinks to an external site.
History Extra Podcast: Second World War Arctic Convoys.
Futiliy Closet Podcast: The Sledge Patrol: Greenland in 1943
Approach to teaching
This class will be taught partly in Copenhagen, partly in Nuuk and Sisimiut in Greenland. While I will be giving short lectures, a high level of collaboration and ownership of your own learning is expected. Only some of the classtime will take place in a regular classroom and there will be guest lecturers, and field studies where we will be meeting with local stakeholders – politicians, relevant NGOs, military and police, entrepreneurs, etc.
Expectations of the students
It is expected that all students actively participate in the learning: do the reading for each class; prepare notes and questions for the instructor, other students, and the people we will meet; actively and responsibly participate in the project groups.
Academic Regulations
Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:
Course Summary:
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