Minor Arctic and Antarctic Studies
This minor programme is designed to provide a broad social and ecological overview in Arctic human-environment relations, and is suitable for students from a variety of research backgrounds. Instructors in the programme are all carrying out original research in this dynamic part of the world and have experience with policy related issues. The minor will cover both the Arctic and Antarcic
The first minor course sequence starts each year in September. If taken full-time it can be completed in half a year. The full minor contains six courses of five ECTS each. You can choose for fewer courses (see below).
You can also opt for the second minor course sequence, which will start half November.
Click here to see our syllabus from 2023. Please note that we will adjust the syllabus a bit for 2024!
Click here for information about registration.
For more information, please contact Maarten Loonen.
Content of the minor
A set of three courses of 5 ECTS each can be followed full-time. These 3 courses are different in form: in course (a) the student acts like a student, in course (b) the student acts like a teacher and in module (c) the student has to show an approach like a scientist.
The minor starts each year in September and the full-time minor will last for half a year. The minor contains of 6 courses of 5 ECTS each.
The two series courses 1 and 2 each cover half a semester and have a similar structure. Courses 1a and 2a consist of 2 times 2 hour lectures on Tuesday and Friday morning and end with an exam with open questions. These courses are mandatory if you want to follow the (b) and/or (c) course in the same block.
In the courses 1b and 2b each student will be assigned three times to different topics. You will be giving presentations about these topics for your fellow students and write a short paper about these. You will need to grade the presentations and papers of your fellow students. In that sense, you will learn to act like a teacher with a focus on preparation of lessons and grading.
In the courses 1c and 2c you will write a scientific paper. You will learn how to make a scientific analyses on a topic you can choose yourself, but which is linked to the general theme of the lectures 1a and 2a.
What can this minor do for your career?
This programme can provide excellent preparation for a career in research (natural science, social science, humanities and law) or policy/governance. Working independently and in groups, students will learn to think critically, develop original research topics, and write well-formulated analyses. Because the programme focuses on the Polar Regions, students will gain valuable multidisciplinary insights into recent and pre-modern climate change, a topic of great relevance to a variety of research fields—from the hard sciences to history and political science—across the globe.
Additionally, a wide-ranging understanding of the Polar Regions can be a crucial asset to many public- and private-sector employers with operations in the Arctic and Antarctic, such as Royal HaskoningDHV, Musea, IAATO, AECO, the WWF, and Greenpeace.
Former students of the Arctic Centre are currently carrying out original scientific research in universities and museums, as well as policy work in international polar organizations. Others opt for a different career, but value their knowledge about the unique Polar Regions and changes due to climate change as unique background knowledge.
Last modified: | 23 May 2024 4.35 p.m. |