STV4282B ¨C The Politics of Global Energy

Course content

Ever since the Homo erectus tamed fire at least 600.000 years ago, energy has been vital for the whole range of human activity. It provided heating that increased resistance to changing climate conditions, contributed to settlements and building of human societies, increased meat consumption and calorie intake and was the basis for engineering tools and effective weaponry. With the industrial revolution, expansion of energy services was a major contributor to economic growth. Today, citizens in developed economies take ample access to affordable energy resources as granted.

Following a basic introduction to the role of energy in modern societies and today¡¯s energy systems, this course provides an understanding of the global politics of energy, the key actors, the role of international energy institutions, and not least the interaction between energy politics and markets. The energy policies of all states are inextricably linked to concerns about energy security, the economics of energy markets and the environmental impact of energy use. Thus, the course is relevant for students interested in geopolitics, international institutions, international political economy. A particular focus will be put on the role of the vast oil resources in the Middle East and the Internal Energy Market of the European Union. Last, but not least, the course will address the crucial role of renewable energy in the global combat of climate change.

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Students will

• have a basic understanding of the structure and dynamics of energy systems.
• have knowledge about the global oil market and European energy markets.
• comprehend the geopolitics of energy security.
• understand the challenges and opportunities in the transition towards sustainable energy systems.
• have knowledge of the energy challenges and policy profiles of the key global actors.

Skills

Students can

• use conceptual tools and frameworks for understanding and analyzing energy policies and the international politics of energy supply, distribution and consumption.
• present their own analysis of key global energy issues.
• can develop policy strategies and institutional designs to respond effectively to major governance challenges and policy dilemmas in the energy sector.

Competences

Students will

• understand the format and complexities of the challenges involved in governing an effective transition towards sustainable energy systems.
• grasp the dilemmas faced by many governments as well as non-governmental actors in the field of international energy politics.
• be able to identify the driving forces behind current world energy events and the dynamic interaction of economic interests and political governance underlying actors¡¯ behavior.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Students enrolled in other Master`s Degree Programmes can, on application, be admitted to the course if this is cleared by their own study programme.

If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.

Apply for guest student status if you are admitted to another Master`s programme.

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.

Recommended previous knowledge

Bachelor's degree in Political Science or equivalent.

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with STV4282.

Teaching

Lectures.

Compulsory activity?

• Oral presentation of the term paper

Absence from compulsory activities: For many courses, UiO requires participation in the form of compulsory activities. These must be approved before you can sit for the examination.If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.Report absence from or the need for a postponed deadline on a compulsory activity?Absence from compulsory activities - University of Oslo (uio.no)

Examination

Term paper.

The term paper must:

• be between 3500-5000 words
• be on a topic related to the curriculum but selected by the student
• meet the formal requirements for submission of written assignments

Previous exams

Examination support material

All support material is allowed. When using AI, you must explain and be transparent about its use: read more about the guidelines for AI and exams at?How to use AI as a student - University of Oslo

Language of examination

You may write your examination paper 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.

Resit an examination

If you are sick or have another valid reason for not attending the regular exam, we offer a postponed exam later in the same semester.

See also our information about resitting an exam.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• How to use AI as a student
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.