Admission requirements
This course is available for students of the Honours College Humanities Lab.
Students in the first year of their bachelor’s programme who achieve good academic results and are very motivated, may apply for a place in Humanities Lab.
Description
The course will focus on the nexus between energy needs and international politics, and look into the institutions, policies, and practices that support or hinder the energy transition. A fundamental energy transition is key to combating climate change, which has evolved into one of the most pressing challenges to the sustainable development of human societies.
After gaining a brief overview over the geopolitics of energy in the first part of the course, we look at the findings of the growing literature on the imperative of energy transition in the second part. In particular, we study three of the challenges—relating to national interest, economics, and international cooperation—that make a more muscular energy transition so difficult.
Course objectives
The primary objective is to analyze ideas, concepts and texts in international energy politics (both older and more contemporary) in their historical context;
The secondary objective is learn to think critically about alternative ways of explaining, understanding and judging international energy politics;
The third objective is to acquire skills in verbal communication and presentation, teamwork and flexibility, expository and analytical writing, and independent research.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Humanities Lab courses are usually scheduled on Friday afternoon from 13.30 to 17h.
Mode of instruction
Seminar and Lectures.
Assessment method
Assessment
Your grade will be determined by three components:
Class Participation and in-class group activities: 20%
Oral presentation: 30%
Final Paper: 50%
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average of these three components.
Attendance
Attendance is compulsory for all meetings (lectures, seminars, excursions, etc.). If you are unable to attend, notify the lecturer (listed in the information bar on the right) in advance. Being absent may result in lower grades or exclusion from the course.
Resit
A resit option is offered only for the final paper assignment. Retaking a passing grade is not possible for this course.
Inspection and feedback
How and when an exam review will take place will be disclosed together with the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days after publication of the exam results, an exam review will have to be organized.
Reading list
In this course, we draw on a broad array of readings to understand the empirical and normative challenges posed by global energy politics. The readings will be provided by the lecturer on Brightspace and are designed to be manageable. This is because we will be discussing each assigned text in detail during class. I therefore expect that you carefully read all assignments for each session.
Registration
Students participating in this module will be enrolled in MyStudymap by the Education Administration Office of Humanities Lab. Students can register for the Humanities Lab modules about two to three weeks before the start of the module through an online form. On this form students indicate the modules in order of their preference. The coordinators assign students to a module based on their preference and bachelor’s programme, in order to create a diverse group of students and equal amount of students per module. Usually students get assigned to the module of their first or second choice. More information and the link to the form will be provided by Umail.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Huizinga
Remarks
This course is part of the Humanities Lab programme, visit the website for more information.
Visit the Honours Academy website for more information about the Honours College.