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Semester 2

Energy Policy and Sustainability (STIS10008)

Subject

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

College

CAHSS

Credits

20

Normal Year Taken

3

Delivery Session Year

2023/2024

Pre-requisites

Visiting students must have completed at least 2 Social Science courses (i.e. Sociology, Politics, Social Policy, Social Anthropology, African Studies, American Studies, Gender/Queer Studies) at grade B or above. We will only consider University/College level courses.

Course Summary

Energy Policy and Sustainability provides students with an understanding of contemporary societal and policy debates around key energy technologies in the context of the transition towards more sustainable and lower carbon energy systems. The course will take a distinctive STIS approach which will equip students with the analytical tools necessary to critically evaluate key energy technology and policy debates in the UK, Europe and globally.

Course Description

Energy Policy and Sustainability provides students with an understanding of contemporary societal and policy debates around key energy policy challenges in the context of the transition towards sustainable and lower carbon energy systems. The course will take a distinctive Science, Technology, and Innovation Studies (STIS) approach which will equip students with the analytical tools necessary to critically evaluate key energy technology and policy debates in the UK, Europe and globally. Relevant concepts and frameworks from the STIS field will be introduced in order to unpack the complex relationships between energy technologies, actors and institutions. Students will be encouraged to look beyond deterministic accounts of energy system change, and to understand the range of societal actors shaping sustainable energy transition pathways. Throughout, we develop a ¿whole systems¿ view of energy systems and question silver bullet solutions. Core themes and approaches will be explored against a backdrop of contemporary energy policy strategies covering various aspects of our energy system, including, for instance: Just Transitions, fuel poverty, energy markets, the practice of energy policy making and energy and development issues. Further example topics include: -The role of different actors in shaping energy supply technologies -The introduction of new types of vehicles within well-established transport systems - Innovations in end use technologies and smarter demand - The role of the state and market in liberalised energy markets

Assessment Information

Written Exam 0%, Coursework 100%, Practical Exam 0% 1) Policy Brief - 1,000 words (25%) - submitted mid-way through the semester. 2) Final Essay - 3,500 words (75%).

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