| Unit name | Histories of the Polar Regions |
|---|---|
| Unit code | HIST30102 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Adrian Howkins |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | Department of History (Historical Studies) |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts |
Characterised by cold climates and extreme seasonality, the Arctic and Antarctica both have fascinating histories. In some ways, the two polar regions have much in common. From the outside, they have been viewed as places for exploration, adventure, and science. Histories of natural resource exploitation have brought the polar regions to the forefront of debates over environmental protection, while a warming climate threatens to cause major changes to both places. In other ways, however, the Arctic and Antarctica are also very different. Much of the Arctic is populated, with a wide variety of indigenous peoples. Antarctica, in contrast, is the one continent in the world with no permanent population. Almost all of the terrestrial Arctic is part of the traditional state system, while Antarctica is governed by the innovative Antarctic Treaty System. By taking a comparative perspective on the history of the Arctic and Antarctica, this unit will consider both the similarities and the differences between these two regions. It will suggest that studying polar history can offer interesting perspectives for studying broader themes such as colonialism, resource exploitation, and political conflict, while at the same time examining the histories of these regions on their own terms.
Upon completion of the unit, successful students will be able to:
Weekly:
3 hours of seminars
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
One 3500-word essay (50%) [ILOs 1-4]. Timed Assessment (50%) [ILOs 1-4].
When assessment does not go to plan:
When required by the Board of Examiners, you will normally complete reassessments in the same formats as those outlined above. However, the Board reserves the right to modify the format or number of reassessments required. Details of reassessments are confirmed by the School/Centre shortly after the notification of your results at the end of the year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. HIST30102).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
