ISSSV4758 ¨C Development, Energy and Sustainability

Course content

This course comprehensively explores the interconnections between development, energy, and sustainability. It delves into the complex relationships between energy systems, sustainable development goals, and the challenges of achieving energy security and environmental sustainability. The course provides a critical understanding of the political, social, economic, and technological factors that shape energy transitions and sustainable development, focusing largely, though not only, on the Global South. Students will use critical theoretical frameworks, case studies, and policy debates to assess how energy and environmental strategies impact sustainable development outcomes, on climate and on all the SDGs.?

The course integrates concepts from development studies, energy transitions, and sustainability frameworks to analyze the role of energy in achieving sustainable development goals. It investigates the intersection of development, democracy, and energy sustainability, exploring the challenges and opportunities democratic societies face in achieving sustainable energy transitions while ensuring equitable development. Students will engage with case studies from both the Global North and South to understand how different political and developmental contexts influence energy sustainability. The course will critically examine the role of democratic institutions, public participation, policy-making, and international development cooperation in driving sustainable energy transitions. Special attention will be given to the impacts of energy transitions on social justice, economic development, and environmental sustainability, focusing on how democracies manage these competing objectives.?

Students will explore critical challenges such as climate change, resource depletion, inequality, and energy transitions and will engage with case studies that highlight successful and problematic paths to sustainability. A significant focus will be placed on the role of policy frameworks, international cooperation, and technological innovation in facilitating just transitions. The course emphasizes the importance of systems thinking and multidisciplinary approaches to solving global sustainability challenges through international development and energy transitions.?

Learning outcome

Knowledge

Upon completion of this course, you will:??

• Have a comprehensive understanding of the critical concepts and theories in development, energy, and sustainability.?

• Critically analyze the role of energy in achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs), particularly in the Global South.?

• Understand the political, economic, and social challenges of energy transitions and sustainable energy policy-making.?

• Gain insight into the relationship between energy access and development, focusing on energy poverty and justice.?

• Be familiar with the key theoretical approaches to development and sustainability in relation to energy transitions.?

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Skills

After having completed the course, you will:?

• Be able to evaluate and compare energy policies, systems, and transitions in different regions, especially in developing countries.?

• Develop the ability to critically evaluate different development models and their impact on sustainability outcomes.?

• Acquire skills in analyzing policy frameworks and governance structures that facilitate sustainability transitions.?

• Gain experience in assessing case studies and applying theoretical frameworks to real-world development challenges.?

• Learn how to integrate sustainability considerations into development planning and decision-making.?

• Learn to apply interdisciplinary approaches to understanding the challenges and opportunities of sustainable energy transitions in development.?

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General Competence?

After completing the course, you will:?

• Critically engage with global and local energy, development, and sustainability discourses.?

• Develop the ability to synthesize and communicate complex information about energy systems and sustainability clearly and comprehensively.?

• Gain the competence to participate in policy discussions and professionally contribute to sustainable energy solutions.?

• Foster a reflective understanding of how energy systems interact with social justice, development, and environmental sustainability issues.?

Admission to the course

If you would like to take this course, you must?apply directly to the International Summer School?

Only students admitted to the course may take part in instruction.?

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with ISSSV4756 ¨C International Development Studies.

Teaching

The course consists of lectures and seminars, 4 hours daily, Monday to Friday, for four weeks. Classroom sessions include lectures, student presentations, group exercises, discussions, and a workshop on development issues.?

Students must attend a minimum of 80% of the lectures to take the final exam. All participants are expected to actively participate throughout the course and attend real-time lectures, seminars, and discussions.?

Examination

The course includes a final 3-hour written exam.?Your final grade will comprise the results from group work and presentations (30%) and a final written examination (70%).?

Language of examination

The examination text is given in English, and you submit your response in English.??

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.??

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.