Learning outcome

Students will gain thorough knowledge of and insight into:

• Characteristics of the Norwegian coastal culture and economy in the past and present
• Coastal settlement, communication and industrial development in Norway in relation to climatic, topographical and other natural conditions
• The importance of maritime activities in relation to cultural exchanges with other countries and cultural development in Norway, with particular emphasis on the maritime traffic over Skagerrak, the North Sea and the north Atlantic
• Historical and regional differences in natural resources, exploitation of natural resources, economy and social structure, with particular emphasis on the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and the importance of marine resources and the maritime industry for the development of Norwegian society today
• The basis for communicating knowledge and insights about the above topics to students and tourists

Course Description

The course addresses both long-term historical perspectives and contemporary perspectives, but is particularly relevant for the previous two centuries and the emergence of Norwegian society today. It contains the following main topics:

• Settlement and commerce along the Norwegian coast in relation to climate, topography and other natural conditions from a comparative northern European and north Atlantic perspective
• The main marine and terrestrial natural resources that have been and are important for the Norwegian coastal economy in the past and present
• Fishing by hand and the traditional export-oriented fisheries (cod, herring and mackerel)
• Fisherman-farmer-adaptation, the division of labour between the sexes and the relationship between fishing, other marine industries and agriculture in the traditional coastal society
• Whaling and seal hunting in coastal and offshore areas
• Export of other coastal natural resources (metals, minerals and natural ice)
• Traditional differences between northern Norwegian, western Norwegian and eastern Norwegian coastal cultures (in relation to commerce, architecture and social structure)
• The main national “road” - the Norwegian coast as a communication route
• Norwegian and Scandinavian boat building traditions from the Viking Age to the present day
• Norwegian international shipping from the Viking Age to the 21st century
• Shipping and the overseas exodus
• The shipbuilding industry from sailing ships to the oil and gas age
• International law of the sea and the Norwegian continental shelf
• The modern fishing industry and ocean fishing
• The Norwegian offshore industry in near and distant waters
• “The blue field” - modern aquaculture and fisheries along the Norwegian coast
• Pressure on resources and the problems of overfishing, climate change and pollution in old and new maritime industries at the beginning of the 21st century

Teaching and Learning Methods

Lectures and tutorials, and a mandatory field trip to the Telemark coast (1 day).

Assessment Methods

Midterm examination: semester essay (40%)

Final examination: written 3-hour examination (60%)

Minor adjustments may occur during the academic year, subject to the decision of the Dean