Program Overview

The Sea and Society Relationship; Historical Perspectives, Present Status and Future Challenges

Course Description

The course aims to put into a broad context the human "uses" of the sea through time, including emotional and philosophical uses. It will treat main conflicts and problems associated with historical and current uses, and describe and discuss basic issues like the tragedy of the commons and problems related to collective actions and various governance systems.

Course Details

• Course code: MAR461
• Level: Master's level
• Credits: 15 credits (ECTS)
• Offered by: Department of Marine Sciences at the Faculty of Science and Technology
• Study pace: 100%
• Time: Day
• Location: Göteborg
• Study form: Campus
• Language: English

Duration and Application Period

• Autumn 2025: 1 Sep 2025 - 4 Nov 2025, Application period: 17 Mar 2025 - 15 Apr 2025
• Autumn 2026: 31 Aug 2026 - 3 Nov 2026, Application period: 16 Mar 2026 - 15 Apr 2026

Tuition

• Full education cost:
  • Autumn 2025: 35,505 SEK
  • Autumn 2026: 36,250 SEK
• First payment:
  • Autumn 2025: 35,505 SEK
  • Autumn 2026: 36,250 SEK
• No fees are charged for EU and EEA citizens, Swedish residence permit holders, and exchange students.

Summary

This course is for those interested in how human society is linked to the marine environment and ecosystem, and how this relationship has changed over history and until present, and how it may change into the future.

Study Counsellor

• Grazzia Matamoros

Sustainability

This education meets the requirements for Gothenburg University's sustainability certification.

About

The course will cover different perspectives, such as western and non-western, global and local, industrial and artisan. Form of teaching includes lectures, exercises, discussions, and individual and group reports. The course may be taken as an elective course within a wide range of master programs at the Faculty of Science, Faculty of Law and Economy, Faculty of Social Science.

Prerequisites and Selection

Entry Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree (180 credits)
• English 6/English B from Swedish Upper Secondary School or the equivalent level of an internationally recognized test

Selection

Selection is based upon the number of credits from previous university studies, maximum 165 credits.

Facilities

The Gothenburg region offers proximity to a wide range of marine environments, and facilities include research stations and vessels.