Tags
EES
Admissions requirements
None.
Description
About 60% of Earth’s ecosystem services are being degraded or used unsustainably. Fresh water availability is decreasing. Species are becoming extinct at a rate that has not been seen since the last global mass-extinction event. Carbon emissions are continuing to increase globally. How can we begin to effectively address these issues? This course will take a practical approach to energy and natural resource management by drawing upon the planning and development process for an offshore wind farm to explore the three pillars of sustainable development (environmental, social, and economic sustainability). More specifically, we will explore local and global resource and environmental issues ranging from the commodification of nature to the management of protected areas, and from the energy transition to understanding local opposition to sustainable energy infrastructure.
Course objectives
Skills:
Students will learn how to identify key evidence within complex planning documents related to an offshore wind farm.
Students will develop a research question and conduct a literature review.
Students will learn how to work together effectively in a group setting.
Students will learn to communicate effectively through oral and written assignments.
Knowledge:
Understand the importance of various natural resources to human existence, in both a historical and contemporary context.
Identify and understand the various frames by which we understand and value nature.
Identify and analyse the key issues in sustainable resource use/conservation in different geographical, cultural, and developmental contexts.
Analyse a natural resource management issue from a local and global perspective.
Understand the concepts, principles and practices discussed in class.
Timetable
Once available, timetables will be published in the e-Prospectus.
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
Participation: 10%
Discussion Leader: 25% (students do this once in the block; oral component [10%], individual written component [15%])
Theory and Field Exercise: 15% (students do this once in the block)
Offshore wind energy planning and development Hearing: 30% (written component [due week 6] and in-class oral component [week 7])
Literature Report: 20% (work is due in week 8)
Please note:
In accordance with article 4.8 of the Course and Examination Regulations (OER), within 30 days after the publication of grades, the instructor will provide students the opportunity to inspect their exams/coursework.
There is a no re-sit policy at Leiden University College.
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
A reading list will be made available before the course starts. A book is not required for this course as peer-reviewed 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