Energy and Environmental Politics (BST210)

This course takes the history of environmental politics and core environmental concepts, theories and environmental discourses nationally and internationally as the point of departure. The main focus is on energy and climate politics and policy, and its related political controversies. The course emphasises Norwegian energy and environmental policy, the actors and ideological cleavages. In addition, the course covers core international environmental treaties.


Course description for study year 2024-2025

Facts

Course code

BST210

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English, Norwegian

Offered by
Time table

View course schedule

Content

The course contains a general introduction to theoretical perspectives and controversies in energy and environmental politics. It has a special focus on the tensions between the production and consumption of fossil fuels and climate change. In short: What are the implications of the Paris agreement for Norway's petroleum policies and the future use of fossil fuels? This issue is discussed in relation to the organization of environmental institutions and principles of environmental policy, actors and cleavages in energy- and environmental politics, measures in environmental policy, international environmental treaties, the ethical foundation of environmental policy and green political theory.

The course will be given in English if there are English speaking students.

Learning outcome

Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired the following knowledge, skills and general competencies:

Knowledge:

  • Students will be able to outline core national and international discourses on energy and the environment, and various environmental positions related to these issues.
  • Students will be able to have advanced knowledge of the challenges associated with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the climate negotiations and the Paris Agreement, the use of fossil fuels, Carbon, Capture and Storage (CCS), and more.

Skills:

  • The students will be able to apply different theoretical approaches in the analysis of Norwegian and international environmental policy
  • The students will be able to critically evaluate different energy- and environmental policy measures.
  • The students will be able to discuss the ethical and normative foundation of energy and environmental politics.

Competencies:

  • After the course, will be able to use the knowledge and skills in the analysis of energy- and environmental problems.
  • Students will be able to present central theories and problems in writing and orally, as well as exchange views with others within the subject area.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Home assignment 1/1 3 Days Letter grades All

Coursework requirements

Obligatorisk gruppearbeid med presentasjon
Compulsory group assignment with oral presentation. The students must prepare and participate in a group debate and deliver debate notes of approx. 2-3 pages (approx. 800-1500 words) Information about the theme and requirements for the compulsory activity will be provided on canvas.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Liv Sunnercrantz

Course teacher:

Oluf Langhelle

Head of Department:

Oluf Langhelle

Method of work

Lectures, discussions, group work, and student assignments.

Open for

Sociology - Bachelor's Degree Programme Political Science - Bachelor's Degree Programme
Admission to Single Courses at the Faculty of Social Sciences
Exchange programmes at UIS Business School
Exchange programme at Faculty of Social Sciences

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

The syllabus can be found in Leganto