Local Environments - Global Impacts

  Iceland

Reykjavik

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 20-28, 2009 (additional work over the Internet)

Description: The course deals with agricultural and environmental history, using the environment and cultural landscape of the Svartarkot area for reference.

The basic idea is to compare two periods in the environmental history of the area, one before the onset of modernization, and the other after modernization sets in during the 19th century.

The first period offers fascinating insight into the effects of man on an untouched landscape. The settlement of Iceland occurred in the 9th century AD, at a similar time as other large oceanic islands like New Zealand and Madagascar were settled. Iceland was the last country in Europe to be settled. The effects of the settlement will be reviewed, with discussion of examples of deforestation and desertification in the Svartarkot area. The development of the cultural landscape and of land use will be followed through the ages.

The effects of the environment on man in the pre-modern period will also be discussed. Ocean ice, volcanic eruptions and the cooling of the climate all led repeatedly to severe subsistence crises in Pingeyjarsysla, where Svartarkot is located, and indeed in all of Iceland. The plague ravaged the countryside two times in the 15th century and examples of farm desertion will be examined.

The second period offers a modern contrast to the pre-modern period. Modernity first became apparent in Iceland in agriculture, with expansion of farm production observable from the beginning of the 19th century. The expansion of agricultural productivity was connected to increase in shipping and the growth of cities in Europe, especially Copenhagen. This expansion directly affected society and environment in Svartarkot and all of Pingeyjarsysla. All kinds of environmental challenges followed, increase in grazing producing desertification on a larger scale than before. The environmental challenge of industrialization followed in the 20th century in the form of whaling, power extraction from rivers and waterfalls, the building of aluminum smelters and environmental effects of tourism.

The effects the environment has on man have been greatly reduced by modernity. How this was done will be reviewed, but also the growing danger of global warming. How will the Svartarkot area be affected?

Chief supervisor: Arni Daniel Juliusson PhD
Credit units: 10 ECTS
Price: 850 USD, Travel, board and accommodation not included
Level: Undergraduate
Registration deadline: April 30, 2009

Highlights: Svartarkot (Black river cottage) is the last farm on the east side of the river; nestled on the shores of Svartarvatn lake, it straddles the border of the farming community and the uninhabitable terrain of the interior. Due to its elevation it provides a spectacular view of the surrounding vista of lava fields, dormant volcanoes and mountains, all the way to Vatnajokull (the largest glacier in Europe) to the south. This proximity to nature and virtual isolation makes it an ideal place of study and meditation. Diverse bird life flourishes around the lake and surroundings, where many species of duck can be seen such as Barrow's Golden eye and numerous other water - and shorebirds species, as well as raptors such as the rare Gyrfalcon.

Cost in US$: 850

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Iceland Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application

Svartarkot: Culture and Nature's Mission Statement: The Svartarkot Centre is an institute being developed in rural Iceland and dedicated to research and providing higher education on the interaction between culture and nature. The place, straddling the border between the settled landscape and the wilderness, is an appropriate place for investigating this interaction. The approach is multi-disciplinary, incorporating cultural studies, literature, history, anthropology, sociology, folklore, geography, geology, ecology and the natural sciences. Svartarkot is a farm giving participants first-hand experience of life on the edge of human habitation. Courses involve a generous number of excursions and field trips, capitalizing on the intriguing cultural and natural environment. The emphasis is on summer programmes intended for graduates or undergraduates. Courses are supervised by the Reykjavik Academy.