STV4282B - International Energy Politics
Course description
Course content
In a global perspective, energy policies serve multiple goals, including those of (a) meeting increasing energy demand, driven in large part by growing populations and rising incomes, (b) satisfying basic needs of about two billion people who suffer badly from inadequate access to useable energy, and (c) responding to the increasing risk of severe environmental damage caused by prevailing patterns of energy production, distribution and consumption. Moreover, energy policies are inextricably linked to geopolitical concerns about energy security and to competition in international markets and international politics. This course is designed to provide an understanding of how the international politics of energy is driven and shaped by these and other goals and concerns, and how different actors respond to the particular challenges and dilemmas they face.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
Students will
- Obtain a basic understanding of the structure and dynamics of energy systems.
- Improve their knowledge about global oil markets and European energy markets.
- Improve their understanding of the geopolitics of energy security.
- Acquire a better understanding of attempts to drive a transition towards sustainable energy systems, and the roles of non-governmental as well as governmental actors in that process.
- Improve their knowledge of the energy challenges and policy profiles of key actors.
Skills
Students will
- Acquire conceptual tools and frameworks for understanding and analysing energy policies and the international politics of energy supply, distribution and consumption.
- Learn to present their own analysis – orally as well as in writing – of selected topics.
Competences
Students will
- Better understand the format and complexities of the challenges involved in governing an effective transition towards sustainable energy systems.
- Learn to appreciate the dilemmas faced by many governments as well as non-governmental actors in the field of international energy politics.
- Develop their own skills to search for policy strategies and institutional designs that can respond effectively to major governance challenges and policy dilemmas.
Admission
Students admitted to other Master programmes may also be qualified to apply for the course. Please see the webpage on Hospitant students.
For incoming students: All Master's courses in Political Science must be registered manually by the Department, they will not appear in Studentweb. Contact your international coordinator at UiO
Prerequisites
Formal prerequisite knowledge
Bachelor's degree in Political Science or equivalent.
Recommended previous knowledge
Bachelor's degree in Political Science or equivalent.
Teaching
10 lectures will be given. The lectures are held intensively for a period of 5 weeks, with the exam in the sixth week.
This course will be taught at the University of Oslo, Blindern campus. Other locations in Oslo may be used. Fronter will normally be used.
The course is part of the regular course offerings at the Faculty of Social Science. Teaching is mainly held during the daytime. Detailed course-information is found on the Webpage for the current semester.
Examination
Term paper of 15-20 pages, the topic/question chosen by the student herself/himself with prior approval of the course coordinator.
Oral presentation of the term paper and responses to questions asked by the exam committee.
The term paper must fall within the thematic scope of the course and make use of the literature assigned. The term paper counts ¾ of the final grade and the oral presentation/exam counts ¼. The A-F grading scale will be used.
The Faculty of Social Science is responsible for the exam(s), and exam(s) are/is normally held at The University of Oslo, Blindern campus. Other locations in Oslo may be used.
Detailed exam-information is found on the Webpage for the current semester
Language of examination
It is possible to submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Explanations and appeals
- Explanation of grades - deadline and processing time
- Appeal about grades
- Complaint about formal exam errors
Resit an examination
Withdrawal from an examination
If you wish to withdraw from the exam you must do so in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the deadline. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit the exam.
Special examination arrangements
If you have a disability or a health problem that entails significant inconvenience in an examination situation, you may be considered for special examination arrangements. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation
This course is evaluated half way through every semester and every four year the course undergoes a thorough evaluation.
An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course and he/she makes a written report every year.