Office hours to discuss both organizational and substantive issues - physically in the room 4.35, every Thursday between 13-14h; online every Tuesday 14-14:50h or Wednesday 15-15:50h, in both cases using the link https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/92395756339).
Due to the C-19 situation the course is delivered online, via Zoom and using this link https://cesnet.zoom.us/j/91345293442?pwd=NW1ZOXd6VVdlUXNrVkVyQnJ3Y1o1dz09 (Password 836827).
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) Active participation in class discussion. Lectures are not obligatory, however, once present the student is obliged to keep their camera on during the lecture. (Short coffee-breaks are indeed tolerated).
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 national government, 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 the act relevant to the topic of
the course (strategic guideline, legislative act, governmental decision,
directive…). Shortly introduce this act. Only real and ongoing cases are allowed.
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…).
This part is due on 30.10.2020 23:55 to the IS vault. 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.
Policy paper
18 000 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) 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 issues, it should provide clear recommendations
for policy-makers. It is neither a historical analysis nor an opinion essay.
The final paper is due on 3.1.2021 23:55h. 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!