Governing Energy Transitions (MEE210)
This course centers on energy and environmental governance in different locations around the world. Students develop an understanding of how societies are affected and respond to ecological crises in different ways. The course introduces perspectives that highlights the diverse contexts between a) the global North and South regarding environmental issues, and b) social, political, and economic context and conditions.
Course description for study year 2024-2025
Course code
MEE210
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Spring
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Spring
Language of instruction
English
Content
The environmental problems we face today are one of the greatest collective threats that humanity has faced to date. Yet, the difficulty of successfully engaging and reconciling these problems requires nuanced understandings of the complex conditions for change.
Environmental problems and impacts stretch far beyond fossil-fuel production and consumption, to entail food production, water procurement and storage, single-use products, material conditions, pollution and waste management linked to resource extraction and renewable energy production alike.
In this course, we will discuss and problematise various strategies and challenges associate with energy transitions to reach climate and sustainable development goals. Students learn more about how diverging societal and political systems, structures, institutions, groups, and geographies, affect and are affected by such strategies and challenges in different ways. The course equips students with theoretical and analytical approaches to analyse various forms of energy governance.
This course deals with issues such as the interdependence of energy production and environmental impact, policy implementation across geographic and socio-economic contexts; similarities and dissimilarities between different environmental political contexts, actors, and institutions.
Learning outcome
Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the following knowledge, skills, and general competencies:
Knowledge
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Of central theories and concepts related to energy governance, and how they can be applied.
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Of the varying conditions for energy governance, including environmental impacts, resource distribution, geographical aspects, and socio-political systems.
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Of the various challenges and strategies related to energy governance and environmental impacts across the globe.
Skills
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Students will be able to apply and discuss central theories and concepts related to energy governance.
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Students will be able to identify and assess connections between challenges and strategies related to energy governance and environmental impacts.
General competencies
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Students will be able to use their acquired skills and knowledges to discuss and analyse issues related to energy governance.
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Students will be able to contribute to furthering strategies for a sustainable society and contribute to a cooperative learning environment.
Required prerequisite knowledge
Recommended prerequisites
Exam
| Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oral exam | 1/1 | Letter grades |
Coursework requirements
In order to qualify for the exam, students must pass a mandatory assignment to be carried out in groups of 3-5 students, resulting in a written submission.
All information will be given in Canvas.
Course teacher(s)
Course coordinator:
Morten Ryen LoeCourse coordinator:
Thomas Michael SattichCourse coordinator:
Liv SunnercrantzHead of Department:
Oluf LanghelleCourse coordinator:
Oluf LanghelleMethod of work
This course applies a knowledge co-production approach and strives to teach students how to teach themselves. Developing learning habits in a collaborative learning environment is a central part of the course. Students are asked to cooperate in designing their own procedures to explore and assess complex problems related to the task of governing energy transitions. The course coordinator will facilitate students’ engagement with the course curriculum. Students are expected to have read the relevant course literature ahead of each session.
