Course Overview: Gain Critical Arctic Literacy

Beyond the Ice: The Interconnected Arctic Mosaic is an illuminating 5-week journey offered by Wild Rose Education into the rapidly evolving Arctic. This region stands at the forefront of unprecedented planetary change and intensified global challenges.
 

This course offers a comprehensive and interdisciplinary survey designed to foster a critical "Arctic Literacy" essential for navigating our changing polar world.
 

Format: Virtual, asynchronous, and self-paced. Expected Time: At least 15 hours over the 5-week term. 
 

Course Dates

• Autumn Term - November 1 - December 7, 2025

• Winter Term - January 24 - March 1, 2026

• Spring Term - March/April 2026

• Summer Term - June/July 2026

Specific dates TBA. Registration will open 6-8 weeks before each course.

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Registration Fee Scale

• $175, Standard

• $200, Pay it Forward

• $150, Community Supported

Level: Graduate-level professional development
 

Who Should Enroll?

This course is designed for a diverse audience seeking to build a foundational understanding of this vulnerable polar region. Target participants include:

• Formal and non-formal educators.

• Early career professionals.

• Undergraduate students.

• Advanced secondary students.

• Lifelong learners.
 

Prerequisite: College reading and writing skills.

A Holistic and Interdisciplinary Approach

The curriculum is framed by the Polar Literacy Principles and the United Nations Sustainability Goal Learning Objectives. It offers a holistic, relational understanding of the region by actively weaving together Indigenous Knowledges (IK) with Western science and research approaches.

You will delve into four critical areas of inquiry, analyzing the intricate components of the Arctic climate system and their profound interconnectedness:

1. The Arctic as a Unique Environment: Discover its distinct geographical features, landforms, climate systems, and unique biodiversity. You will comprehend the Arctic's significance in regulating global climate patterns.

2. Accelerating Environmental Transformations: Analyze the drivers and profound consequences of rapid environmental shifts, including melting ice and snow, glacier dynamics, permafrost thaw, and pollution, understanding their ripple effects on local and global scales.

3. The Central Role of Arctic Peoples: Gain insights into the rich cultural heritage and contemporary experiences of Arctic Indigenous peoples. Examine how Indigenous Knowledges are actively woven together with Western science to provide a holistic and relational understanding of the region.

4. Global Interconnections and Informed Action: Investigate the Arctic's critical role in global systems and the broader social, economic, and geopolitical implications of polar change, including widening inequalities. The course emphasizes applying this knowledge to real-world contexts, fostering informed decision-making and responsible actions that align with sustainable development principles.

 

Course Structure and Modules

This self-paced course is structured into seven modules spanning five weeks, with weekly coursework deadlines. All coursework within a module must be completed before you can progress to the next.
 

Instructional methods will involve reading course resources, watching videos, virtual discussions, engaging with online interactive software, conducting simple research, drafting content diagrams, reflection, and various evaluation approaches.
 

The seven core modules are:

1. Earth’s Polar Regions 

2. Frozen Ice (The Cryosphere)

3. Movement and Circulation

4. Arctic Food Buffet

5. Arctic Climate and How it is Changing

6. Arctic People

7. Observing the Arctic
    

Assignments and Grading

Success relies on rigorous and intentional engagement and active participation. This includes completing all assignments, engaging with readings and videos, contributing to discussions, and thoughtfully responding to peers' work.

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The course grade is weighted across four main categories:

Required Evaluation Activities

• Assignments and Discussion - 35%

• Learning Reflections - 30%

• Quizzes - 15%

• Final Reflection- 20%

• Total - 100%

 

Key Assignment Types (Per Module):

Each module generally includes:

• Learning Activity Choice Board Assignment and Peer Discussion: Students complete one structured learning activity (e.g., essay, infographic, research project, presentation) from a menu of options. This work is shared on the discussion board, followed by reviewing and engaging with at least 3 other students' projects.

• Reflective Journalling: Requires sharing a few key takeaways, typically between 200 and 350 words.

• Quiz.

• The course culminates with the Final Reflection activity, which is a reflective essay or multimedia presentation summarizing key learnings, reflecting on perspective changes, and discussing how knowledge influences future actions.

 

Completion and Policy Notes:

• A grade of 80% or higher is required to earn a certificate from Wild Rose Education for 15 hours of continuing education hours.

• Assignments submitted after the due date will incur an automatic 10% deduction per day late.

• "On time" means submitted to Canvas (the LMS) by the indicated date and time.

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Connection Opportunities

Although asynchronous, optional informal Zoom Meeting chats with peers and the instructor are scheduled throughout the course.​

 

Wild Rose Education Instructor: Sarah R. Johnson, MAEd

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Optional Graduate Credit: 1 Graduate Credit Hour is available through Adams State University for $55/credit.​​​

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