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, nature conservation, and different political strategies involved in the low-carbon transition.
Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.
Course code
MEE100
Version
1
Credits (ECTS)
10
Semester tution start
Autumn
Number of semesters
1
Exam semester
Autumn
Language of instruction
English
Content
The course 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 a range of energy and climate-related challenges in current and historical contexts of energy systems. This includes looking at socio-technical and regulatory regimes, capitalist developments, globalisation processes, environmental challenges, governance policy, and more. Furthermore, the course traces the historical development of transition studies and 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 reimagine 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 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 will be able to:
- Apply the theoretical approaches of transition and transformation theories to various contexts and cases.
- 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 analysing problems and challenges related to energy transitions and climate change.
- To critically reflect on the conditions for and the likelihood of realising 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
Exam
Form of assessment | Weight | Duration | Marks | Aid |
---|---|---|---|---|
Semester paper written individually or in pair | 1/1 | 1 Semesters | Letter grades |
Assignment: a written paper individually or in pair (3000-4000 words) on a given task. Submission-date will be announced at the start of the course. Students in international study-programmes shall submit all work in English.Students in Norwegian programmes may choose to submit all work in English or in a Scandinavian language.Cooperation is allowed, when applicable please refer to this in the paper.
Coursework requirements
The course requires active participation, and students will have to pass two interconnected compulsory assignments during the semester in order to qualify for the final exam.
The assignments help students to discover the meaning of the educational material and are also preparatory work for the final exam. They will be evaluated according to Approved/ Not approved. Failure to pass the compulsory assignment will disqualify the student from taking the final exam.
Course teacher(s)
Course teacher:
Oluf LanghelleCourse teacher:
Thomas Michael SattichCourse teacher:
Liv SunnercrantzCourse coordinator:
Oluf LanghelleMethod of work
Discussions, lectures, written assignment, and term paper.
The course consists of 5 full-day sessions. These sessions will include lectures, group discussions and tasks. All students are expected to read the syllabus and participate in 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.