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

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

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:

Course teacher:

Course teacher:

Course coordinator:

Method 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.

Open for

Course assessment

Literature