Svartárkot
Culture — Nature

SVARTÁRKOT CULTURE – NATURE (SCN) is a multidisciplinary programme focusing on the diverse relations between humans and nature inspired by the environment and cultural heritage of the Bárðardalur valley and Lake Mývatn region in northern Iceland.

SCN disseminates knowledge gained in ambitious and innovative research projects, in cooperation with the local population. The programme offers unique learning experiences combining high-quality academic courses grounded in the local landscapes and cultural history. The courses welcome graduate and post-graduate students, professors and scholars looking for new insights and inspirations in post-and transdisciplinary methods.

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NEXT COURSE: 14 - 24 AUGUST 2020

Human Ecology and Culture at Lake Mývatn 1700 - present: Dimensions of Environmental and Cultural Change:

An interdisciplinary course in Environmental Humanities and Social Sciences will be held in August 2020 in Bárðardalur, northeastern Iceland. The course will connect local communities and issues with global developments, with a particular focus on the scenic Lake Mývatn area and the Bárðardalur valley on the banks of the glacial Skjálfandafljót River with its magnificent waterfalls. The course will provide a unique blend of lectures and experiences of cultural histories embedded in landscapes.
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Course Description

Past Courses

SCN has held 6 annual academic courses, one course in 2007 and two in 2009, 2014, 2015 and 2018).

"Svartárkot was the single most important scholarly experience of my career. Its lessons continue to insinuate themselves and reshape my ideas about historical processes and culture."
David Winter2015 Summer Course
David Winter
"The depth and breadth of the knowledge that was offered assured me it would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience"
Sarah Norton2015 Summer Course
Sarah Norton
"The course gave me a great appreciation for the specificity of that amazing place, grounded within an interdisciplinary framework drawing upon Anthropology, Literary Studies, Climate Science and more. "
Elizabeth Walden2015 Summer Course
Elizabeth Walden
"My time at the Svartarkot Nature-Culture course completely reformed my approach to, and practice of, interdisciplinary methodologies ... Above and beyond the learning experiences, I met lifelong friends in this course who continue to inspire me."
Sarah Bezan2018 Summer Course
Sarah Bezan
"Svartarkot opened a whole new way of thinking about things for me. The different subjects and different ways of looking at things gave me a fresh perspective on my research."
Michael Snipes2018 Summer Course
Michael Snipes
"The course, the tutors and the location are all intense and engaging, and the closeness of working, living, doing with a group of like-minded but at the same time diverse people was a very precious experience"
Liz Gladin2018 Summer Course
Liz Gladin
“Participating in this seminar breathed new life into my project and, more importantly, what I thought was possible in the environmental humanities.”
Parker Krieg2014 Summer Course
Parker Krieg
"All of our senses, as well as our intellect, were both challenged and nurtured. This interactive summer school, even though relatively short in time, leaves you with lifelong connections and memories, as well as a renewed desire for active and place-based scholarship."
Trycia Bazinet2018 Summer Course
Trycia Bazinet
"Overall, I had an amazing experience at Svartákot, a program which brings about a true meeting of interdisciplinary specialists and experts passionate about the Mývatn region in Iceland to discuss important issues about the environment of the region and how it has changed over time."
Wendi Coleman2018 Summer Course
Wendi Coleman
"In 2014, I went to Svartárkot to learn more about Medieval Iceland and visit places that I had only read about in the Sagas. What I didn't expect was for this class to be one of the most meaningful experiences of my life."
Sarah Sutor2014 course
Sarah Sutor
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FULL TESTIMONIALS
Participants of the 2018 summer course

Photo Gallery

Follow this link to see more photographs that give an impression of the diversity and beauty of northern Iceland's nature and culture.

Bárðardalur valley. Photo by Magnús Skarphéðinsson
Bárðardalur valley. Photo by Magnús Skarphéðinsson
Svartárkot, Ódáðahraun and Dyngjufjöll volcano ridge in the distance. Photo by Magnús Skarphéðinsson
Svartárkot, Ódáðahraun and Dyngjufjöll volcano ridge in the distance. Photo by Magnús Skarphéðinsson
Group photo by Hrafnabjargafossar
Group photo by Hrafnabjargafossar
Sheep from Lake Mývatn. Photo by Ragnhildur Sigurðardóttir
Sheep from Lake Mývatn. Photo by Ragnhildur Sigurðardótt
Horses in Svartárkot. Photo by Magnús Skarphéðinsson
Horses in Svartárkot. Photo by Magnús Skarphéðinsson
The Framengjar Wetlands by Lake Mývatn. Photo by Viðar Hreinsson
The Framengjar Wetlands by Lake Mývatn. Photo by Viðar Hreinsson
Excursion in Hljóðaklettar 2018. Photo by Lea Rekow
Excursion in Hljóðaklettar 2018. Photo by Lea Rekow
Excursion in Hljóðaklettar 2018. Photo by Lea Rekow
Excursion in Hljóðaklettar 2018. Photo by Lea Rekow
Turf shed in Svartárkot for smoking trout and mutton. Photo by Magnús Skarphéðinsson
Turf shed in Svartárkot for smoking trout and mutton. Photo by Magnús Skarphéðinsson
Manuscript from the Húsavík Archives. Photo by Lea Rekow
Manuscript from the Húsavík Archives. Photo by Lea Rekow
Lake Mývatn in winter. Photo by Egill Freysteinsson
Lake Mývatn in winter. Photo by Egill Freysteinsson
Lecturing in Kiðagil. Photo by Lea Rekow
Lecturing in Kiðagil. Photo by Lea Rekow
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Svartárkot Nature-Culture Svartárkot, 645 Fosshóli

+354 844 8645 – vidar@svartarkot.is

+354 895 4742 – gudrunhlini@gmail.com

+354 774 8778 – raga@nett.is

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