Studiegids

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Energy, Environment, and Sustainability

Vak
2018-2019

Tags

EES

Admissions requirements

Energy and Resource Management

Description

Ensuring a stable supply of energy is a global concern and the focus of increasing attention. The extraction and use of traditional sources of energy, i.e. fossil fuels (coal, oil, and gas), is associated with diverse and long-lasting environmental effects and is responsible for the majority of anthropogenic GHG emissions. The continued viability of fossil fuels as a primary energy source is beleaguered by climate-environment risks and security of supply issues affected by physical resource reserves, fuel prices, energy consumption, and unstable geopolitics in many fuel producing regions. Such concerns over climate change and security of supply represent a significant driving force for the implementation of alternative energy strategies focused on sustainable energy sources.

This course adopts an interdisciplinary focus and explores various energy-related issues through an interdisciplinary lens. For example, we will investigate the socio-political impacts of energy infrastructure development, as well as the links between different energy resources and a range of marine and terrestrial environmental issues. We will also explore science communication, greenwashing and climate policy.

Course objectives

Skills:

  • Students will learn how to design a poster to communicate a complex scientific issue.

  • Students will learn how to identify key evidence within the context of a specific energy case study.

  • Students will learn how to write a policy brief.

  • Students will further develop their oral presentation and writing skills.

  • Students will learn how to work together as a group.

Knowledge:

  • Students can think holistically about energy issues and their links to sustainable development

  • Students understand the importance of effective science communication

  • Students can describe how the exploitation and use of various energy sources impacts the environment

  • Students can discuss and identify the socio-political impacts of resource exploitation for energy purposes

  • Students can apply the knowledge gained in class to explore various contemporary energy issues

Timetable

Once available, timetables will be published here.

Mode of instruction

This course will proceed primarily as a seminar. Each class will include opening remarks/introductory lecture followed by a discussion of assigned readings, class activities, and student presentations. It is expected that students will engage actively in class discussions and debates.

Assessment

  • Discussion leader: 15% (students do this once between week 2-6)

  • Group research project: 30% (due in week 5)

  • Hearing on Arctic oil development: 30% (written component [due week 6] and oral component [week 7])

  • Re-write assignment: 25% (due end of week 8)

Blackboard

There will be a Blackboard site available for this course. Students will be enrolled at least one week before the start of classes.

Reading list

Reading list will be made available before the course starts. A book is not required for this course, journal articles are used.

Registration

This course is open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator. Interested non-LUC students should contact course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.

Contact

Dr. Bríd Walsh
b.m.walsh@luc.leidenuniv.nl