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Syllabus

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Course description

The abundance of cheap and accessible energy from coal, oil and gas helped to create a modern society. At the same time combustion of these sources compromised the local and global environment, with the climate change being currently the biggest threat.

In the course, we follow the development of modern energy systems based on fossil fuels. We observe the relationship between these systems and the environment. We analyze the governmental efforts to limit the negative impacts of these industries on the environment and assess the efficiency of different measures. And we evaluate on the ongoing energy transition to the low carbon economies.

The course builds on the theoretical concepts of environmental science applied to energy sector. Also political science, governance science, and economics are employed. At the end of this course, students should be able to approach current energy-environmental debate critically, having a necessary background from different academic fields.

Course requirements

1) Participation at the lectures is not mandatory, nevertheless, the attendance is strongly recommended.

2) Students are expected to read the required readings for each lecture. Readings serve to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures.

3) Students are required to submit a final (lobbying) paper. The topic has to be discussed with and approved in advance by the lecturer.

4) Students have to pass a final written exam based on required readings and lectures.

Grading

The final grade will be calculated as a sum of two parts. Final paper (up to 30 pts.) and exam (up to 30 pts.).

A 56-60 pts.

B 51-55 pts.

C 46-50 pts.

D 41-45 pts.

E 36-40 pts.

F 35 and less

Final (lobbying) paper

Students are expected to write a policy paper addressing the following situation: The EU, national government or local government is about to change, introduce or cancel some environmentally relevant legislative act and you would like to lobby relevant decision-makers to protect interests of your institution.

First part of the paper – set up

5400 characters, incl. spaces and footnotes

1) Choose the act relevant to the topic of the course (strategic guideline, legislative act, governmental decision, directive…). Shortly introduce this act.

2) Define your position: you may represent industry, environmental NGOs or concerned municipality. Specify your interests regarding the issue.

3) Define and explain the relevance of the audience of your paper – what decision-maker would you like to lobby? (Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Treasury/Finance…).

Second part of the paper – the Policy paper itself

20 000 characters (incl. spaces and footnotes).

1) Your intention is to convince the target audience that your positions and arguments are the correct ones and should be reflected in the official position of the country.

2) Corrects arguments and evidence in support of your position is crucial. Do not compromise the credibility of your institution by false argumentation or weak data.

3) Do write the paper efficiently, knowing that the audience often does not have much time to read it.

4) A word of warning – policy paper is a research paper focusing on some specific policy issue, it should provide clear recommendations for policy makers. It is neither historical analysis nor an opinion essay.

Final paper is due on 19.11.2019 24:00h. A 5 points penalty will be assessed for each day (or fraction of the day) that it is late. No excuses will be accepted – I do suggest you to submit the paper well in advance as a precaution against illnesses or other unexpected complications.

Cheating and plagiarism

Cheating or plagiarism in the course will result in the reduction of the final grade to an F. The Disciplinary Commission (and your home university, if deemed appropriate) will be notified. It is your responsibility to know the rules!