Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change (MEE100)

This course introduces various theoretical perspectives, critical approaches, as well as societal contexts and conditions for transitions and transformations related to energy and climate change. Students will learn more about the various societal challenges associated with climate change mitigation and adaptation, and different political strategies involved in the low-carbon transition.


Course description for study year 2024-2025. Please note that changes may occur.

Facts

Course code

MEE100

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Content

Societal Transition and Transformation - Energy and Climate Change takes its point of departure in two international, general agreements related to sustainability and climate change, both adopted by the United Nations: the Paris Agreement from the UN Climate Change Conference (COP21) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The course subsequently explores different approaches to the transition to a low carbon society, the envisioned transformations related to the energy system therein, and the different, and sometimes competing, political strategies involved.

We will discuss different energy and climate related challenges in current and historical contexts of energy systems. This includes looking at socio-technical as well as regulatory regimes, capitalist developments, globalisation processes, environmental challenges, governance policy, and more. Furthermore, the course traces the historical development of transition studies as well as relevant political, cultural, social, discursive, and socio-technical changes and challenges.

A principal aim of the course is to introduce students to a broad body of research related to societal transitions and transformations in the context of sustainability, energy systems, climate change, and action. In this, we will work with various analytical tools to understand and critically assess the conditions for various low-carbon pathways and energy transformations. This course enables students to envision and critically assess the ways in which transitions and transformations toward just and sustainable futures can take place.

Learning outcome

It is expected that the students after completing the course will have the following knowledge, skills, and general competencies:

Knowledge

Students who successfully complete the course will have:

  • Knowledge about the social, political, cultural, and discursive challenges associated with the transition to a low carbon society.
  • A basic understanding of the SDGs, climate change, and environmental policies and governance.
  • Knowledge about the energy challenges associated with the Paris Agreement.
  • Knowledge about the relationship between energy and climate change, and various mitigation and adaptation strategies.
  • Knowledge about different energy and climate related scenarios and competing visions of the low-carbon future.
  • Advanced knowledge of theories related to societal transitions and transformations.

Skills

Students who successfully complete the course should be able to:

  • Apply the theoretical approaches of transition and transformation theories on various contextual energy technologies.
  • Assess local, historical, political, social, and cultural conditions for an energy transformation.
  • Formulate and communicate problems and dilemmas associated with low-carbon transitions and sustainability.
  • Contribute to discussions and project management in analysing problems and challenges related to societal transitions and transformations.

General competencies

After the course, students are expected to be able to:

  • Independently use the knowledge and skills in analysis of energy and environmental problems and challenges.
  • To critically reflect on the conditions for and the likelihood of the realization of various low carbon strategies and energy transformations.
  • Analyse, critically assess, evaluate, and develop different energy and climate change-related policy measures.
  • Analyse, critically assess, and evaluate different transformative approaches, theories, and pathways to sustainability and energy transitions.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Semester paper written individually or in pair 1/1 1 Semesters Letter grades

Assignment: an individually written paper (3000-4000 words) on a given task. Submission-date will be announced at the start of the course. Students on international study-programs shall submit all work in English.Students on a Norwegian program may choose to submit all work in English or a Scandinavian language.

Coursework requirements

Group work and presentation, One student assignment

The course requires active participation, and students will have to pass two compulsory assignments during the semester in order to qualify for the final exam.

1) Group work and presentation. This includes group-work with 3-8 students.

2) One individually written draft for term paper to be handed in mid semester. Students will be expected to engage in peer feedback.

These assignments help students to discover the meaning in the teaching material and are also preparatory work for the final exam. As part of this, the student also acts as an intellectual sparring partner for fellow students.

These compulsory assignments will be evaluated according to Approved/ Not approved. Failure to pass these compulsory assignments will disqualify the student from taking the final exam.

Course teacher(s)

Course teacher:

Oluf Langhelle

Course teacher:

Morten Ryen Loe

Course teacher:

Thomas Michael Sattich

Course teacher:

Liv Sunnercrantz

Course coordinator:

Oluf Langhelle

Method of work

Group work, discussions, lectures, student presentations, written assignment, and term paper.

The course consists of weekly sessions. These sessions will include lectures, group work, and student presentations. All students are expected to read the syllabus and participate in group discussions and thereby develop analytic reflections in a productive environment with fellow students. This will be done on campus and the course-coordinator will facilitate a digital learning platform (Canvas). Any changes to the curriculum will be announced on Canvas.

This course is taught in English.

Open for

Digital Society and Societal Transformations - Master's Degree Programme Energy, Environment and Society - Master's Degree Programme Change Management - Master's Degree Programme History and History Didactics - Master's Degree Programme
Exchange programmes at UIS Business School
Exchange programme at Faculty of Social Sciences
Exchange programme at Faculty of Science and Technology

Course assessment

There must be an early dialogue between the course supervisor, the student union representative and the students. The purpose is feedback from the students for changes and adjustments in the course for the current semester.In addition, a digital subject evaluation must be carried out at least every three years. Its purpose is to gather the students experiences with the course.

Literature

Search for literature in Leganto