Organization:The course is taught by Filip Černoch and Tereza Pospíšilová, with the former being the contact person for the course. Should you need a consultation please send an email or approach the teacher at the end of the lecture.
Course description
Modern society was built on the abundance of cheap and accessible energy from coal, oil, and natural gas. At the same time, the combustion of these sources compromised the local and global environment, with climate change being 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 the ongoing energy transition to low carbon economies.
The course builds on the theoretical concepts of environmental science applied to the energy sector. Also, political science, governance science, and economics are employed. At the end of this course, students should be able to approach the current energy-environmental debate critically, having a necessary background from different academic fields.
Course requirements
1) Active participation in class discussion. Lectures are not obligatory.
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 Tereza Pospíšilová.
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
This activity is organized by Tereza Pospíšilová. Please direct your questions to her.
Teams of 2 students are expected to write a policy paper addressing the following situation: The national, local, or municipal government is about to change, introduce or cancel some environmentally relevant legislative act and you would like to lobby relevant decision-makers to protect the interests of your institution.
Set-up
5400 characters, incl. spaces, and footnotes.
1) Choose an act relevant to the topic of the course (strategic guideline, legislative act, governmental decision, directive…). Shortly introduce this act. Only real and ongoing cases could be investigated.
2) Define your position: you may represent industry, environmental NGOs, or a 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…).
Policy paper
24 000 characters of the text itself (incl. spaces and footnotes, +/- 10%) + brief introductory letter + references.
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) Correct arguments and evidence in support of your position are 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 – a policy paper is a research paper focusing on some specific policy issues; it should provide clear recommendations for policy-makers. It is neither a historical analysis nor an opinion essay.
Deadlines
Topic selection is due on 2.10.2022. The topic must be discussed and approved by Tereza Pospíšilová.
A set-up is due on 23.10.2022, 23:55.
A final paper is due on 11.12.2022, 23:55. A 5 points penalty will be assessed for each day (or fraction of the day) that either the set-up or the final paper 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!