Module description
The module will examine energy in international relations in four parts. First, a brief overview of the history of hydrocarbons will familiarise students with how modern energy supplies developed in the past two centuries. During the first two sessions of the module, students will also acquire understanding of key concepts such as energy security, and gain knowledge on energy value chains.
Next, the module will devote three sessions to several cases examining both the supply and the demand-side of energy security on a regional and global scale. Such cases will include: the energy dilemmas between energy-rich Russia/Eurasia and hydrocarbon-poor EU; the rising role of China and Asia in global energy demand and their pursuit of energy security; and the evolution of energy geopolitics between the oil-rich Persian Gulf region and the US.
The third part of the module will dedicate two sessions to the link between energy and development. The focus of the first session will be on the literature examining the link between resource wealth and development, while the second session will examine resource nationalism, the suppliers' attempts to command energy markets and the policy response coming from consuming nations.
The fourth part of the module will look specifically at key challenges faced with respect to energy in a carbon-constrained world. One session will be devoted to the study between energy and climate change, while another session will look at technological progress and its implications for traditional and non-traditional energy supplies. The final (tenth) session of the module will examine a range of energy scenarios developed by distinct international and research institutions. Class discussion will focus on the geopolitical consequences of contemporary energy transitions.
Assessment details
Group Work Project (30%), Essay (60%) & Participation (10%).
Educational aims & objectives
The module aims to introduce students to the study of energy resources in international relations. As a module that requires no technical knowledge on energy resources, it has the objective to enhance students’ understanding of energy from three related perspectives: energy as a security issue; energy as a matter of development; and energy in a carbon-constrained world. Students will examine each of the three perspectives through existing theoretical literature and empirical case studies. An key objective will be for students to learn and identify the institutional, policy, technological and environmental challenges of bringing energy to markets. How different actors—from international institutions to states and to companies—react to these challenges will constitute an additional area of learning in this module.
Learning outcomes
As a learning outcome of this module, students are expected to demonstrate the following:
- Understanding of key concepts relating to energy markets and knowledge of industry terminology;
- Knowledge of the supply and demand dynamics of international energy trade, including its key institutional, state and non-state actors.
- Knowledge of conceptual tools and frameworks for analysing energy policies of countries/regions.
- Ability to critically assess energy security concerns along extensive energy value chains involving production, transit and consumption.
- Ability to critically assess the developmental dilemmas faced in energy-rich countries.
- Ability to critically assess the nexus between energy development and climate change
- Ability to identify key political and economic risks for energy.
- Understanding of the impact of technological developments on energy supplies and energy security.
- A better grasp in determining the reliability of non-academic sources examining regional and global energy issues.
- Ability to work in teams on a group project.
- Skills in writing concise papers for decision-makers.
- Effective presentation skills on a contemporary energy policy issue.