91̽»¨

School of Global Studies
Department of Political 91̽»¨
Department of Law
Department of Economy and Society
Department of Business Administration
Department of Historical Studies
Department of Literature, History of Ideas, and Religion
Department of Philosophy, Linguistics and Theory of 91̽»¨
HDK-Valand - Academy of Art and Design

The course can be taken as a freestanding course or as an elective course in a Master's Programme.
The course can be part of the following programmes: 1) Marine 91̽»¨, Master's Programme (N2MAV), 2) Atmosphere, Climate and Ecosystems, Master's Programme (N2ACE), 3) Master's Programme in Earth 91̽»¨s (N2GVS), 4) Biology, Master's Programme (N2BIO), 5) Master's Programme in Geography (N2GEO), and 6) Environmental 91̽»¨s (N2MVN).

A Bachelor's degree (180 credits) and English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test, for example TOEFL, IELTS.

The course content aims to get a basic understanding of how the relationship between the sea and the human society from prehistorical times and up to today has changed, and what conflicts are associated with different aspects of societal "interests" and "uses" of the sea and its resources. This also includes analyses of important trends in to the future.

The course consists of lectures, exercises and discussions. The course also includes individual and/or group projects and reports.

Sub-courses
1. Internet-based tests (Internetbaserade prov), 7.5 credits
Grading scale: Pass (G) and Fail (U)
2. Project (Projekt), 7.5 credits
Grading scale: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U)

After completion of the course the student is expected to be able to:

Knowledge and understanding
• Describe various human uses of the sea from prehistory to present.
• Understand emotional and philosophical relationships between man and the sea and their role in different human cultures.
• Have knowledge about various marine archives.
• Understand the main environmental impacts and conflicts associated with historical uses and overuses of the seas.
• Describe and understand the tragedy of the commons and issues related to collective actions.

Competence and skills
• Identify threats and challenges into the future and disentangle their relationships with different scenarios of development of the human societies, and in addition how these relate to different governance structures.
• Choose and use methods to analyze various aspects of the sea and society relationships during historical and current times.

Judgement and approach
• Discuss the implications of changes in how various marine resources are valuated and looked upon (e.g. seals as an exotic part of wildlife, or a competitor to the artisan fisheries) by different stakeholders.
• Assess the shifts of the baseline over historical times and value the importance of this shift.

The first six weeks of the course consists of lectures given by university teachers from different disciplines. Group discussions and short written reports of well-defined tasks are complements. The last three weeks consist of group project work on a topic related to the course themes which result in an oral presentation.

Language of instruction: English

The course is examined through weekly web-based individual tests and a final oral presentation of a group project.

During the first 6 weeks, the student must pass weekly exams to pass the first sub-course. The tests focus on the content presented during each week. The grade given is
pass/fail (G/U). If a student fails a test, he/she will be given the chance to repeat the test. In addition, it's compulsory to actively attend at least 60% of the assignments during each week.

The final group project will result in an oral presentation and will be graded individually pass with distinction/pass/fail (VG/G/U).

If a student, who has failed the same examined component twice, wishes to change examiner before the next examination, a written application shall be sent to the department responsible for the course and shall be granted unless there are special reasons to the contrary (Chapter 6, Section 22 of Higher Education Ordinance).

If a student has a recommendation from the University 91̽»¨ regarding special educational support, the examiner (in case it is compatible with the course's objectives and if not unreasonable resources are required) can decide to give the student an alternative examination form.

In cases where a course has been discontinued or has undergone major changes, the student shall normally be guaranteed at least three examination occasions (including the ordinary examination) during a period of at least one year, but maximum two years from the last time the course was given.

The grading scale comprises: Pass with Distinction (VG), Pass (G) and Fail (U). A student will be given the grade G if he/she has pass on all weekly tests and G on the final individual project work.

The grade VG for the whole course requires G on all weekly tests and VG on the final individual project work. A description of the criteria for getting G or VG on the individual project work will be made available on Canvas at the start of the course.

Regarding the application of ECTS scales, please see Vice Chancellor’s decision 2007-05-28, dnr G 8 1976/07 as well as 2011-02-28, dnr O 2009/5545.

A written and oral evaluation of the course will be carried out at the end of the course. In the written evaluation, the student is anonymous. The results of the evaluation will be communicated to the students and will function as a guide for the development of the course.

A two-day excursion to the Tanum rock carving field station is planned during the course. Travel costs and food during field visits are paid by the student.