Course Syllabus

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2024 - 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

Current students use the canvas inbox to contact.
Time & Place:

Fridays 13:15-16:10

Classroom: Fi44-Kosmo 405

 

Course description

Due to the changing climate, the Arctic is becoming more accessible resulting in new opportunities as well as new challenges. The region holds many valuable mineral and energy resources as well as new sea routes with the promise of shortening the travel distance between Europe and Asia. The conditions for research activities, as well as military operations, are also under significant change.

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 multilateral governance institution – the Arctic Council – was established in 1996 to promote coordination and cooperation among the Arctic states and other stakeholders in the region, especially on Arctic climate research, Arctic environmental protection and Arctic coast guard assistance. Despite growing security tension in particular between the U.S., Russia, and China 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 isolate the Arctic and guard Arctic cooperation. They have had a joint interest in both keeping Arctic governance in the hand of Arctic states and maintaining the region as a low-tension area.

In recent years, the Arctic – in particular the North Atlantic or the European High North – has increasingly become a priority area for the great powers. The worsening relations between the West/NATO on the one side and Russia and China on the other side have increased the pressure on Arctic coordination and cooperation. Since the Russian full-blown invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the Arctic Council has been put on pause, and all the Arctic states – and NATO – are increasing their focus on the region resulting in growing military build-up and exercises. While a large-scale military confrontation in the region is unlikely, there is a growing risk of minor conflicts escalating caused by unintended accidents or intentional small-scale grey zones or hybrid, where especially small Arctic communities are exposed.

This course offers an introduction to Arctic geopolitics following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, placing current growing security tension and military buildup in a historical context and exploring whether we can take lessons from the Cold War in establishing dialogue and conflict resolution measures in the region.

Instructors

Steen Kjærgaard, Master of Arts in International Security from the University of Leicester (UK) 2018.  Army officer. Military Academy, Bachelor 1996. Graduated Joint Command and Staff College (MA) 2010. Currently stationed 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
  • The politics and strategies of the great powers, i.e. the U.S., Russia, and China, 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/cases and theories of International Relations to critically analyze and evaluate current events and future perspectives related to Arctic geopolitics.

  Structure

The course is structured over six 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
  3. Arctic security in the context of great power competition – the policies and strategies of the great powers.
  4. End of Arctic low-tension or Arctic exceptionalism – the evolving Arctic governance regime and the role of non-Arctic governance regimes and institutions
  5. The implications for – and strategies of – the smaller Arctic states

Readings

The readings for the course will be posted on DIS Canvas (i.e. intranet) and comprise book chapters, academic articles, and policy reports. 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. 

 Expectations of the students

It is expected that all students actively participate in class: do the reading for each class; come with notes and questions for the instructor and other students; and actively and responsibly participate in their study group.

Academic Regulations  

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

 

 

 

 

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Course Summary:

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