Global Energy Politics POLITIC4168

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Social and Political Sciences
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Either Semester 1 or Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course focuses on the global politics of energy. It introduces students to the dilemmas and trade-offs involved in efforts to transform national and global energy systems and provides them with a framework for critically analysing the role of political power in energy transitions.

Timetable

Seminar: 2 hours for 25 students

Requirements of Entry

Entry to Honours Politics or IR requires a grade point average of 12 (Grade C) over Politics 2A and Politics 2B as a first attempt.

Excluded Courses

None

 

It is recommended that students do not take Global Environmental Politics (POLITIC4007) at the same time as this course.

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

Briefing, 1500 words (40%)

Choice of Essay or Briefing, 2500 words (60%)

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

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Course Aims

This course has two aims. First, it aims to help participants develop a working knowledge of global energy politics - how national energy systems are interlinked with each other, and the complex political and policy challenges involved in the ongoing global energy transition. Participants will develop a working knowledge of the political economy of energy and the role of frames and narratives in shaping energy politics and policy. Second, it provides participants with a framework for thinking both pragmatically and critically about the politics of energy. This will involve both the analysis of trade-offs, and how (geo-) political power operates in how energy is produced, transported and consumed around the globe.

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Demonstrate knowledge of the political economy of the energy transition.

■ Examine the interactions between the political, economic, environmental and technical aspects of energy systems.

■ Interpret a range of quantitative and qualitative data and social research findings regarding national and global energy systems.

■ Analyse the dilemmas and trade-offs involved in energy politics.

■ Critically evaluate the role of power in shaping energy policy and politics.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.