Prospectus

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Energy Policy of the EU

Course
2024-2025

This course focuses on both climate and energy policy in the EU

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master International Relations, track European Union Studies.

Students are expected to display a keen interest in European Union politics in general and climate and energy policy in particular.

Description

In this course, we will examine topics of European energy politics, drawing on the links between energy and climate change. From the war in Ukraine to worsening climate change, in recent years the EU has been under intense pressure to simultaneously accelerate its green transition and deliver energy security.

Among the topics we will examine are the nature of the EU’s institutions in both domestic and external energy policy; the rise and decline of EU-Russia energy relations; and the opportunities and challenges of the energy transition for the European continent. Specific subjects we will discuss include the geopolitical consequences of the war in Ukraine and the need for the EU to forge new international partnerships and “smart” policies to promote a just energy transition.

The course provides students with the knowledge and skill set to analyze EU climate and energy policies, critically assess the EU’s current achievements in the field, and reflect on present and future challenges. The seminar sheds light both on domestic and external energy policies and their interaction.

Course objectives

The main objectives of the course are:

  • Provide students with in-depth knowledge of the main European Union climate and energy policies;

  • Provide students with in-depth knowledge of the politics and processes that have led to current EU climate and energy policies;

  • Enable students to critically analyse EU climate and energy policies.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • Identify the main debates and concepts in the analysis of internal and external EU climate and energy policies;

  • Explain the origins and development of the main internal and external EU climate and energy policies;

  • Explain the larger politics and incentives surrounding EU climate and energy policies;

  • Critically analyse internal and external EU climate and energy policies. 

The course objectives will be outlined in the beginning of the course

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

  • Seminar

Assessment method

  • Brief Essay 10%

  • Leading in-class discussion and class participation 20%

  • Presentation 20%

  • Final Paper 50%

Weighing

The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average.

Resit

A resit option is offered only for the final paper assignment. Retaking a passing grade is not possible for this course.

Exam review

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

This is a seminar and will focus on the readings. Please come to class ready to discuss each of the book chapters or articles.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website

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

Not applicable