2016 pol213g course syllabus - vesalius college · 2016 pol213g course syllabus ... dreyer, i. and...

POL 213G – European energy security strategies – Summer 2015 1

VESALIUS COLLEGE 2016

POL213G Course Syllabus

European energy security strategies

in a world of growing insecurities Number of ECTS credits: 6 Contact Details for Professor Dr. Thomas Sattich Tel: +32-0-460962961 E-mail: [email protected] Classes: Mondays 3 pm - 6 pm Office Hours: Mondays 1 – 2 pm (with appointment)

Course Description

“High-energy consumption has always been a prerequisite of political power”

Hyman Rickover

Energy is at the heart of economic development. It fuels transportation systems, powers factories, lights government and office buildings, schools and hospitals, heats homes and keeps foods cold. The European Union’s prosperity and security thus hinges on a stable and abundant supply of energy. Since the oil crisis of the 1970s most EU member states have not had to experience any long-lasting supply disruption, yet the world stage and the global energy landscape have both changed dramatically. Projected growth in energy demand from countries such as China and India will exceed demand growth in the industrialised world. Furthermore, economies of today are more integrally linked through globalisation, which drastically increases dependencies on global trading partners for continued supply.

In this context the unfolding crisis in Ukraine shows, that constant supply of gas for Europe’s economy is everything but secure. Moreover, it seems possible that cheap oil and gas will run out in our lifetime, and even if fossil fuels are still available somewhere in the world, their use would keep the economy vulnerable to the whims of potentially unreliable powers. As one of the globe’s biggest importer of energy, the


EU hence remains vulnerable to external energy shocks. Furthermore, unclear questions about the future development of its internal energy system poses threats to security of supply. Beyond, it is very probable that the use of fossil fuels changes the climate – a threat to what some believe to be an epochal challenge to our global environment.

Renewable energies seem to be a carbon-neutral alternative, but they still suffer from their need for high subsidies, and regarding unresolved difficulties in their technical implementation they sometimes appear as part of the problem rather than part of the solution. The unresolved nuclear disaster at the nuclear complex of Fukushima Daiichi on the other hand still stands as a reminder about the risks of nuclear energy. All this points to the need for a common European energy policy, yet despite temporary disruptions of gas supplies in the winters of 2006 and 2009, and a major blackout cascading through Europe in the year 2006, the stimulus to develop such a policy remained too limited to overcome the EU’s internal fragmentation.

Europe will therefore have to find answers to a number of questions:

- Will enough energy be available to meet the needs of its economy, and where should it come from, at what cost, and with what technologies?

- How will increasing global demand affect Europe’s energy security? - Where will the next crisis come from, and how can the security of the

European energy system be protected? - What will be the impact of environmental concerns, especially climate

change, on the future of energy? The course will debate these and related questions, and examine those factors that currently drive energy policy decisions in Europe, including the actions of other nations such as the United States, Russia, China, India, and Japan, climate change negotiations, and the quest for energy independence. This is no simple issue, as the choices to be made today depend on a fragile balance of technical, national security, and environmental concerns, and the political and economic interests linked to this balance are notoriously difficult harmonise. In a globalising world decision making will certainly not become less complex, but in view of Europe’s geo-economic and geo-political situation, answers to European energy security problems need to be found.

Course Prerequisites: None Learning Objectives: With this course you should:

In terms of knowledge: � Acquire substantial background knowledge of Europe’s energy situation,

European energy policy, global energy trends, the geopolitics of energy and the prospect of different energy sources;

� Learn about the history of European integration and the development of common EU energy policies in general, and EU’s energy security strategies in particular;


� Explore the aims and limits of European energy policy, and the way the European Union attempts to secure its energy supply in the coming decades;

� Assess critically the tensions/overlaps between EU’s energy policy, environmental policy, and national perspectives on security of supply;

� Identify the core strategies and interests of other actors and institutions on the field of energy security.

In terms of skills: � Critically compare, contrast and assess complex issues such as energy

security, and to apply them in a creative manner to conceptual debates and real-life global problems;

� Gather, analyse and critically evaluate a broad range of information sources in the field of energy policy;

� Apply different theories to the analysis of international cases; � Use appropriate style and a correct reference system; � Differentiate between empirical and normative statements. � Communicate effectively key research findings on core issues of International

Affairs, including presentation techniques and academic writing; � Work in a team.

In terms of attitudes: � Develop passion for learning and commitment to one’s work; � To be open and critical toward one’s own and others’ perspectives; � Develop an international mind-set and a strong capacity for interaction and

networking.

Course schedule

Energy and society: Past, present and future of energy use

Week Topic of the Lecture

W1 18/1 Energy and Society I: The concept of energy security and the European

Union

W2 25/1 Energy and Society II: Energy use from ancient times to (post-) industrial

societies

W3 01/2 Energy and Society III: Energy use and the benefits of a low-carbon

economy

Core issues of global energy security and the EU’s reaction

W4 08/2 The geopolitics of energy and global energy trends


W5 15/2 Europe’s reaction to a volatile energy landscape I: Energy as a core issue

of European integration?

W6 22/2 Europe’s reaction to a volatile energy landscape II: From market

integration to energy security

W7 29/2 Mid-term exam

The realities of EU energy policy

W8 07/3 Where does the energy for daily use come from?

W9 14/3 Making of European energy policy: Formal procedures, informal networks,

or geo-economics?

W10 21/3 Goals and difficulties of European energy policy

W11 11/4 The all-time dilemma of finding a common approach to common problems

EU’s energy policy in global perspective

W12 18/4 Global powers and their quest for energy:

The US, China, Russia, Japan, India

W13 25/4 European energy policy: strategic implications

W14 02/5 Summing it all up: EU energy security strategies in a world of growing

insecurities

W15 9/5 Final Exam

Detailed course description

Energy and society: Past, present and future of energy use

W1 - 18/1/2016:

Title Energy and Society I: The concept of energy security and the European Union


Main topics What is energy security? What specific issues does energy security comprise? Why is energy security an issue? What is the role of the European Union in this context?

Seminal Activity Getting to know each other; introducing the course programme and assignments; introductory lecture on energy security and current issues of (European) energy security;

Main readings: Cherp, A. and Jewell, J. (2014). The concept of energy security: Beyond the four As, Energy Policy, 75: 413-428.

Dreyer, I. and Stang, G. (2013). What energy security for the EU, Brief Issue November 2013, European Union Institute for Security Studies.

Johansson, B. (2014). A broadened typology on energy and security, Energy Policy, 53: 199-205.

W2 – 25/1/2016:

Title Energy and Society II: Energy use from ancient times to (post-) industrial societies

Main topics What is energy? What role does energy play in the evolution of human societies? How did the use of different energy carriers evolve over time? What triggers these changes? What effects do these changes have on the way we live? What are the prospects of today’s energy carriers such as oil, gas, and coal?

Seminal Activity Minutes (W1) + News;

Leading course exercise;

Actor report: Norway/Statoil;

Main readings Freese, B. (2006). Coal. A human history. London: Arrow Books, pp. 43-69.

Hall, C. A. S., Klitgaard, K. A. (2013). Energy and the Wealth of Nations. Understanding the Biophysical Economy. New York: Springer, pp. 3-39.

Additional readings

Cottrell, Fred (2009). Energy & Society. Bloomington: AuthorHouse, pp. 103-140.


W3 – 01/02/2016:

Title Energy and Society III: Energy use and the benefits of a low-carbon economy

Main topics The view of policy makers and experts on Europe’s sustainability agenda: Driving forces, goals and impediments of the EU’s attempt to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions.

Are we at the beginning of a new energy age? Why is a transition to renewables necessary? What makes the goal of a low-carbon economy attractive? Can a (post-) industrial society run on non-fossil/renewable fuels? What adaptations would be necessary? What implications would such changes have on our live? What are the drivers of EU’s sustainability agenda? Can decarbonisation be achieved? What are the impediments? Where are the overlaps with EU’s energy security strategy?

Seminal Activity Debate between Thomas Wyns (confirmed), Institute for European Studies, and Christoph Schäfer, Statoil (confirmed);

Minutes (W2) + News;


Actor report: EU/Eufores.

Main readings Hall, C. A. S., Klitgaard, K. A. (2013). Energy and the Wealth of Nations. Understanding the Biophysical Economy. New York: Springer, pp. 309-338.

Klare, M. T. (2008). Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet. The New Geopolitics of Energy. New York: Holt Paperbacks, pp. 32-62.

Additional readings

BEE (2014). EU Energy Security Strategy. Tackling the Causes, not just the symptoms, Appeal to the European Parliament and to the European Council, German Renewable Energy Federation.

Casier, T. (2015). The Geopolitics of the EU Decarbonization Strategy: A Bird’s Eye Perspective, in C. Dupont, S. Oberthür (eds.) Decarbonization in the European Union. Internal Policies and External Strategies. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.

Coley, D. (2008). Energy and Climate Change. Creating a Sustainable Future. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 77-141.

Core issues of global energy security and the EU’s reaction

W4 – 08/02/2016:


Title The geopolitics of energy and global energy trends

Main topics What energy sources are traded globally? How do these markets look like? Where does the energy come from? What are the risks involved with this trade? What powers and interests are involved? What mechanisms are there to align the various interests? How can risks be minimized?



Actor report: France/EDF.

Main readings Newell, R. G. (2013), The Global Energy Outlook, in J. H. Kalicki, D. L. Goldwyn (eds.), Energy & Security. Strategies for a World in Transition. Baltimore: John Hopkins University Press, pp. 25-68.

Yergin, D. (2006). Ensuring Energy Security. Old Questions, New Answers, Foreign Affairs, March/April 2006.

Additional readings

BP (2015). BP Energy Outlook 2035, February 2015, pp. 7-28 & 77-92.

Bundeswehr (2010). Peak Oil. Security policy implications of scarce resources. Strausberg: Bundeswehr Transformation Centre.

Müller-Kraenner, S. (2007). Energy Security. Re-Measuring the World. London: Earthscan, pp. 1-34.

W5 – 15/02/2016:

Title Europe’s reaction to a volatile energy landscape I: Energy as a core issue of European integration?

Main topics How did the European Union react to the challenge of energy security? What policies have been implemented? Are these policies successful? Is there a consistent European energy security strategy? Where are the difficulties?



Actor report: EU/Euracoal.


Main readings Buchan, D. (2014). Europe’s energy security – caught between short-term needs and long-term goals, Oxford Energy Comment July 2014, The Oxford Institute for Energy Studies.

Hedberg, A. (2015). Europe’s energy security – is the Energy Union the Answer, Commentary January 2015, European Policy Centre.

Umbach, F. (2014). Global energy security and the implications for the EU, Energy Policy, 38: 1229-1240.

Additional readings

Hall, C. A. S., Klitgaard, K. A. (2013). Energy and the Wealth of Nations. Understanding the Biophysical Economy. New York: Springer, pp. 145-206.

IEA (2014). Energy Policies of IEA Countries. European Union, 2014 Review – Executive Summary, International Energy Agency.

Keating, D. (2015). Imagining an EU energy union, European Voice, 19/02/2015.

W6 – 22/02/2016:

Title Europe’s reaction to a volatile energy landscape II: From market integration to energy security

Main topics How can energy security in Europe look like? How can domestic production (from shale gas to renewables) help achieving energy security?

Seminal Activity Guest lecture by Thomas Pellerin-Carlin, Jacques Delors Institute, Paris (confirmed);



Actor report: EU/Eurelectric;

Mid-term exam preparation.

Main readings n/a

Additional readings

n/a

W7 – 29/02/2016:

Mid-term exam!


The realities of EU energy policy

W8 – 07/03/2016

Title Where does the energy for daily use come from?

Main topics What is needed in terms of infrastructure to supply Europe with energy? How does the energy system work? Where does electricity come from? How are energy systems operated? Who does all the work?

Seminal Activity Visit to an energy facility (lignite mine, coal fired power plant), together with students from the College of Europe (to be confirmed);

Main readings Freese, B. (2006). Coal. A human history. London: Arrow Books, pp. 251-272.

Högselius, P. and Kaijser, A. (2013). Natural Gas in Cold War Europe: The Making of a Critical Infrastructure, in P. Högselius et al. (eds.), The making of Europe’s Critical Infrastructure. Common connections and Shared Vulnerabilities. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 27-61.

Van der Vleuten, E., Högselius, P. Hommels, A., Kaijser, A. (2013). Europe’s Critical Infrastructure and Its Vulnerabilities – Promises, Problems, Paradoxes, in P. Högselius et al. (eds.), The making of Europe’s Critical Infrastructure. Common connections and Shared Vulnerabilities. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 3-22.

Additional readings

Coley, D. (2008). Energy and Climate Change. Creating a Sustainable Future. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons, pp. 183-224.

Lagendijk, V. and van der Vleuten, E. (2013). Inventing Electrical Europe: Interdependencies, Borders, Vulnerabilities’, in P. Högselius et al. (eds.), The making of Europe’s Critical Infrastructure. Common connections and Shared Vulnerabilities. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 62-101.

W9 – 14/03/2016

Title Making of European energy policy I: Formal procedures, informal networks, or geo-economics?


Main topics How are European energy policies made? What actors are involved? Where do these actors agree? Where do they disagree? What are the formal decision making procedures? What about informal decision making procedures? How does lobbying work on the European level?

Seminal Activity Mid-term exam review;



Actor report: EU/European Commission.

Main readings Christiansen, T., Follesdal, A., Piattoni, S. (2003). Informal governance in the European Union: An introduction, in T. Christiansen and S. Piattoni (eds.), Informal Governance in the European Union. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar, pp. 1-21.

Nowak, B. (2013). Energy Policy of the European Union – Myth or Reality?, in D. Milczarek, A. Adamczyk and K. Zajaczkowski (eds.), Introduction to European Studies: A New Approach to Uniting Europe, New York: Routledge, pp. 367-384.

Richardson, J. (2006). Policy-making in the EU. Interests, ideas and garbage cans of primeval soup, in J. Richardson (eds.), European Union. Power and policy-making, (3rd ed.). New York: Routledge, pp. 3-29.

Additional readings

Helm, D. (2014). The European framework for energy and climate policies, Energy Policy, 64: 29-35.


W10 – 21/03/2016

Title Making of European energy policy II: Goals and difficulties of European energy policy

Main topics How are European energy policies made? What does the European Commission do? What role do Member States play? How are different viewpoints brought together? How long does policy making take?

Seminal Activity Visit to European Commission, DG Energy (confirmed, 14:45).


Main readings European Commission (2008). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, 20 20 by 2020. Europe’s climate change opportunity, COM(2008) 30 final, Brussels, 23/01/2008.

European Commission (2014a). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council, ‘European Energy Security Strategy', COM(2014) 330 final, Brussels, 13/10/2014.

Additional readings

European Commission (2011), Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050, COM(2011) 112 final, Brussels, 08/03/2014.

European Commission (2014). Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, Progress towards completing the Internal Market, COM(2014) 634 final, Brussels, 13/10/2014.

European Council (2014). European Council, 23-24 October, Conclusions, Brussels, 24/10/2014.

W11 – 11/04/2016

Title Influencing European energy policies

Main topics What actors are present in Brussels? What does a think tank do? How does a think tank work? Can think tanks influence European policy? What is there business in energy? How does a researcher work? For whom does a think tank work?

Seminal Activity Visit to Egmont, EU-level think tank (confirmed).

Main readings D’Oultremont, C., Faure, A., Giuli, M. (2015). Revisiting energy security in turbulent times. Discussion Paper for Session 1 of the BTTD 2015, Brussels, January 28, 2015.

Dreyer, Iana (2013). Renewables – do they matter for foreign policy? Brief Issue June 2013, European Union Institute for Security Studies.

Youngs, R. (2014). A New Geopolitics of EU Energy Security, Carnegie Europe September 2014.


Additional readings

Fischer, S. (2014). The EU’s New Energy and Climate Policy Framework for 2030, SWP Comments 55, December 2014, German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

Metais, R. (2013). Ensuring Energy Security in Europe. The EU between a Market-based and a Geopolitical Approach, EU Diplomacy Paper March 2013, College of Europe.

EU’s energy policy in global perspectiv

W12 – 18/04/2016

Title Global powers an their quest for energy: China, Russia, Japan, and India

Main topics What energy policies do other countries pursue to secure their energy supply? Does this affect Europe’s energy security strategies? Could coordination and cooperation be beneficial? Are there mechanisms and institutions in place to coordinate the energy policies of world powers?

Seminal Activity Guest lecture by Dr. Duncan Freeman, Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies (confirmed);

Minutes (W10);



Actor report: China/ Trina Solar and/or other Chinese solar panel producer.

Main readings Klare, M. T. (2008). Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet. The New Geopolitics of Energy. New York: Holt Paperbacks, pp. 63-87.

Klare, M. T. (2008). Rising Powers, Shrinking Planet. The New Geopolitics of Energy. New York: Holt Paperbacks, pp. 88-114.

Additonal readings

Harris, Paul G., Yu, H. (2009). Climate Change in Chinese foreign policy. Internal and external responses, in P. G. Harris (ed.) Climate Change and Foreign Policy. Case Studies from East to West, pp. 53-67.

Kuramochi, T. (2015). Review of energy and climate policy developments in Japan before and after Fukushima, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 43: 1320-1332.


Müller-Kraenner, S. (2007). Energy Security. Re-Measuring the


World. London: Earthscan, pp. 57-75.

W13 – 25/04/2016

Title European energy policy: strategic implications

Main topics Through NATO and other institution Europe has strong ties with the US. Does this entail the energy sector? Are there common energy security strategies between the European Union and the United States? What are the prospects of these strategies?

Seminal Activity Guest lecture by Dr. Sijbren de Jong, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies, The Netherlands (confirmed);



Actor report: Russia/Gazprom.

Main readings Conscious Uncoupling, The Economist. Dreyer, I., Henderson J. (2014). Energy Moves and Power

Shifts: EU Foreign Policy and Global Energy Security, Report February 2014, European Union Institute for Security Studies.

Edward Chow, Zachary D. Cuyler (2015). New Russian Gas Export Projects – From Pipe Dreams to Pipelines, Commentary, Center for Strategic & International Studies CSIS.

Szulecki, K., Fischer, S., Gullberg, A. T., Sartor, O. (2015). Giving Shape to the Energy Union: Evolution, National Expectations and Implications for EU Energy and Climate Governance, June 17, 2015.

Wisniewsky, J. (2015). Europe unchained: new realities for external energy policy, Commentary August 13, 2015, European Council on Foreign Relations.

Additional readings

Polak, P. (2015). Europe’s Low Energy – the Promise and Perils of the Energy Union, Foreign Affairs, 9 September 2015.

Tagliapietra, S., Zachmann, G. (2015). The Russian pipeline waltz, Commentary, Bruegel.

Tcherneva, V., Slavkova, L., Chyong, C. K. (2015). Europe’s alternatives to Russian gas, European Council on Foreign Relations.

W14 – 02/05/2015


Title Summing it all up: EU energy security strategies in a world of growing insecurities

Main topics Europe’s energy security: Coherent strategy or hot air?


Leading course;

Actor report: Italy/Eni.

Main readings Müller-Kraenner, S. (2007). Energy Security. Re-Measuring the World. London: Earthscan, pp. 19-34.

W15 – 09/05/2016:

Final exam!

Course Materials

This course uses a mix of journal articles and book chapters. Please, consult the detailed course description for more details.

Background reading:


Further readings: APERC (2007). A quest for Energy Security in the 21st Century. Resources and

Constraints, Report by the Asia Pacific Energy Research Centre. Battaglini, A. et al. (2009). Development of SuperSmart Grids for a more efficient

utilisation of electricity from renewable sources, Journal of Cleaner Production, 17(10): 911-918.

Chapman, D, (2009). Gulf oil and international security. Can the world’s only superpower keep the oil flowing, in D. M. Moran and J. A. Russel (eds.) Energy Security and Global Politics. The militarization of resource management. New York: Routledge, pp. 75-94.

Da Graca Carvalho, M. (2012). EU energy and climate strategy, Energy, 62: 19-22.

Delbeke, J. (2013), EU Climate and Energy Policy: Moving to a competitive low-carbon economy, Video presentation, retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWd76xaiVbY.

Eikeland, P.O. (2011). EU internal energy market policy: Achievements and hurdles, in V. L. Birchfield and J. S. Duffield (eds.), Towards a common European Union energy


policy: Problems, Progress, and Prospects. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 13-40.

GEA (2012). Global Energy Assessment – Towards a Sustainable Future, Summary for Policymakers, Global Energy Assessment.

Gracceva, F., Zeniewski, P. (2014). A systemic approach to assessing energy security in a low-carbon EU energy system, Applied Energy, 123: 335-348.

Jaffe Myers, A., Soligo, R. (2009). Energy Security. The Russian Connection, in D. M. Moran and J. A. Russel (eds.) Energy Security and Global Politics. The militarization of resource management. New York: Routledge, pp. 112-134.

Johansson, B. (2013). Security aspects of future renewable energy systems – A short overview, Energy, 61: 598-605.

Johnson, C. (2014). The North American Energy Revolution: Fading Star or Wave of the Future?, in Transatlantic Academy (ed.) The State of the Transatlantic World 2014. New York: Transatlantic Academy, pp. 81-83.

Johnson, T. H., (2009). Central Asia. Energy resources, politics, and security, in D. M. Moran and J. A. Russel (eds.) Energy Security and Global Politics. The militarization of resource management. New York: Routledge, pp. 75-94.

Kanellakis, M. et al. (2013). European energy policy – A review, Energy Policy, 62: 1020-1030.

Klare, M. T. (2009). Petroleum anxiety and the militarization of energy security, in D. Moran, J. A. Russell (eds.), Energy Security and Global Politics. The militarization of resource management. New York: Routledge, pp. 39-61.

MacKay, D. J. C. (2009). Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air. A ten-page synopsis. Cambridge: UIT Cambridge.

Mildner, S.-A. (2014). Bridging the Energy Divide? EU-U.S. Energy Relations and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, in Transatlantic Academy (ed.) The State of the Transatlantic World 2014. New York: Transatlantic Academy, pp. 78-80.

Moran, D. (2009). The battlefield and the marketplace. Two cautionary tales, in D. Moran, J. A. Russell (eds.), Energy Security and Global Politics. The militarization of resource management. New York: Routledge, pp. 19-38.

Newmyer, J. (2009). Chinese energy security and the Chinese regime, in D. M. Moran and J. A. Russel (eds.) Energy Security and Global Politics. The militarization of resource management. New York: Routledge, pp. 188-210.

Ohta, Hiroshi (2009). Japanese foreign policy on climate change. Diplomacy and domestic politics, in P. G. Harris (ed.) Climate Change and Foreign Policy. Case Studies from East to West, pp. 36-52.

Roques, F. (2014). European electricity markets in crisis: Diagnostic and way forward, in D. Auverlot et al. (eds.), The Crisis of the European Electricity System. Diagnosis and possible ways forward. Paris: Commissariat general à la stratégie et à la prospective, pp. 77-117.

Sencar, M., Pozeb, V. and Krope, T. (2014). Development of EU (European Union) energy market agenda and security of supply, Energy, 77: 117-124.

Sreenivas, A. (2014). India’s energy policy future: Here be dragons, Futures, 56: 53-61.

Van der Linde, C., Correljé (2006). Energy supply security and geopolitics: A European perspective, Energy Policy, 34: 532-543.

Verrastro, F. A. et al. (2010). The Geopolitics of Energy. Emerging Trends, Changing


Landscapes, Uncertain Times, Report of the CSIS Energy and National Security Program October 2010, Center for Strategic & International Studies.

Youngs, R. (2009). Energy Security. Europe’s new foreign policy challenge. New York: Routledge, pp. 79-99.

Youngs R. (2011). Energy Security. Europe’s new foreign policy challenge. New York: Routledge, pp. 6-50.

On the European Union:

Hix S. (2005), The Political System of the European Union, 2nd edn, Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan.

Jørgensen K. E., Pollack, Mark and Rosamond, Ben (2007), (eds), Handbook of European Politics, London/Thousand Oaks/Delhi: Sage Publications.

Nugent N. (2010), The Government and Politics of the European Union, (7 ed.), London: Palgrave.

Richardson J. (2006), ed., European Union: Power and Policy-making, Oxon: Routledge, 3rd Ed.

Bomberg E. and Stubb A. (2003), (eds), The European Union: How Does It Work?, OUP.

On European history:

Hitchcock W. (2003), The Struggle for Europe: The Turbulent History of a Divided Continent 1945-2000, Profile.

Judt T. (2005), Post-war: A History of Europe since 1945, Heinemann.

Stirk, Peter M.R. (2001), A History of European Integration since 1914, Continuum.

Jorgensen, K. E., Pollack, M.A. and Rosamond, B. (2007, eds), Handbook of European Union Politics, London Sage.

Milward A.S. (1992) The European Rescue of the Nation-State, London: Routledge.

Books on energy security:

Yergin, Daniel (2012) The Quest. Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern

world. New York: Penguin.

Videos

Atlantic Council, Europe’s Energy Security – Challenges and Opportunities:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0xhlm2QpY0&list=PLrmyxz4euJD-

5lf2u5aSbuMiULbHSKAuP

Jos Delbeke (2013), European Commission: EU Climate and Energy Policy: moving

to a competitive low-carbon economy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWd76xaiVbY

Prof. Michael Klare, The New Geopolitics of Energy:

http://youtu.be/tb_9CkcTs8g?t=14m10s


There’s no tomorrow (video on the peak oil theory):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOMWzjrRiBg

Prof. Timothy Mitchell, The Government of Uncertainty:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R__vvpP-MfA

Spencer Dale, BP group chief economist, Energy Outlook 2035:

http://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/about-bp/energy-economics/energy-

outlook.html

Maria van der Hoeven, International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook 2012:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHSV16H4Mwk

Euranet Plus, Corruption, politics, distractions:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSIXcBDik3k

Further resources:

Students are encouraged to consult international organisations and think tanks to

deepen their knowledge of recent research and existing evidence underpinning

current debates.

European Parliamentary Research Service: http://epthinktank.eu/tag/energy-security/

International Energy Agency: http://www.iea.org/

World energy council: http://www.worldenergy.org/publications/?s

Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik: http://www.swp-berlin.org/en/start-en.html

Centre for European Policy Studies: http://www.ceps.eu/

European Policy Centre: http://www.epc.eu/

Course Assessment

The students will be evaluated on the basis of their performance as follows:

� Minutes, news 10% � Leading seminar exercise + Actor report 20% � Research Paper 20% � Midterm exam 20% � Final exam 30%

TOTAL 100%


Grading Scale of Vesalius College Vesalius College grading policy, in line with the Flemish Educational norms, is now as stated follows:

Letter grade Scale of 20 Scale of 100

A 17.0-20.0 85-100

A- 16.1-16.9 81-84

B+ 15.3-16.0 77-80

B 14.5-15.2 73-76

B- 13.7-14.4 69-72

C+ 13.1-13.6 66-68

C 12.3-13.0 62-65

C- 11.5-12.2 58-61

D+ 10.7-11.4 54-57

D 10.0-10.6 50-53

F 0-9.9 0-49

Further description of assessment activities and Grading Criteria

1. Organisation

The class is based on both lectures and seminars. The first half of the class (approximately 1h30) is covered by a short presentation of the minutes of the previous session as well as energy-related news of the past week (10%), discussion of the main readings, and a lecture. After a short break, students will then be involved in a series of activities such as leading course exercise (10%), video analysis and discussions, as well as assembling and presenting a short actor report (10%). Reading, getting prepared for both lectures and seminars, as well as active participation is a fundamental requirement of the course and one for which you will be evaluated. It will be attributed due to oral presentation and regular participation in class activities. Make sure that you are well prepared!

2. Written mid-term and final exams

The mid-term will be an in-class exam. The midterm exam (20%) will be held in the mid of the semester (W7). The exam will consist of a number of questions and short essay questions on all concepts you will have learnt before that date. The final exam (30%) will be held at the end of the course (W15; location and time will be announced


once the final exam schedule is posted). It will include two essay questions on the concepts that you will have learnt during the whole semester.

3. Minutes and News

Of each session minutes are to be taken and presented in class; this assignment includes a short written summary of past week’s session (ca. 200 words). Moreover, students are asked to present a short overview over energy-relevant news and events published over the course of the session’s preceding week; this assignment also includes a short written summary (ca. 200 words) and a discussion in class how these news relate to energy security. Submission of the reports by email ([email protected]) and turnitin.

Sources:

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/energy

http://cleantechnica.com/

http://www.bbc.com/news

http://www.energypost.eu/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

http://www.theenergycollective.com/

http://www.globalsecurity.org/index.html

https://www.sciencenews.org/

https://www.theparliamentmagazine.eu/

http://neurope.eu/

http://atimes.com/

http://www.resilience.org/

http://www.realclearworld.com/

http://foreignpolicy.com/#sthash.DrGxplov.dpbs

http://wn.com/

http://www.thedailybeast.com/

http://www.thenation.com/

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/

https://newrepublic.com/

http://spectrum.ieee.org/

Grading criteria minutes and news

0-1 2-3 4-5 Structure of the presentation

The presentation lacks focus and it is poorly or barely structured.

The presentation shows an overall good ability to structure the argument clearly and logically,

The presentation is well-structured and well-planned. The presentation revolves around a clear focus and a logical and


although with some flaws.

well-identified purpose.

Ability to individuate and synthesize core elements

Sufficient or barely sufficient levels of engagement and understanding

Information and core elements of the topic could have been more succinctly or clearly identified

The presentation draws on an advanced knowledge of both empirical background. Core elements are clearly identified and well synthesised

Ability to grasp complex dynamics

The presentation uncritically tackles the problem at hand

Knowledge and understanding of the topic are not always accompanied by an analytical and critical approach to the topic.

The presentation reveals a good critical understanding of the topic under enquiry

Presentation skills

The presenter has some (or major) problems in managing the time at his/her disposal and to address questions from the audience. Unclear PPT

Skills could be further improved (ability to manage anxiety and timing; minor terminological lacuna). Overall good engagement with the audience. Overall good PPT

Time management is respected. Very good ability to address questions from the audience. Good and clear PPT

Discussion The presenter has not prepared questions for discussion The presenter hardly engaged with fellow students Questions are not answered or clarified Summary of crucial discussion points was insufficient

The presenter has prepared questions but the engagement with the audience could be improved Questions addressed from the audience were answered but not further elaborated on, Summary of the discussion was correct

Prepare questions for discussion Motivate students to engage in the discussion Take account of discussion points for clarification Summarize crucial discussion points

Total 20 points

4. Leading seminar exercise and actor report

Students are expected to partially lead the seminar. This assignment is to be based on the presentation of a short actor report (ca. 200 words), that is the description and discussion of an individual energy company, country, EU-level institution etc. and its


approach to or relevancy for European energy security. Submission of the report by email ([email protected]) and turnitin.

Actors:

W2: Norway/Statoil

W3: European Parliament/Eufores

W4: France/EDF

W5: EU-level/Euracoal

W6: EU-level/Eurelectric

W9: EU-level/European Commission

W12: China/Trina Solar and/or other Chinese solar panel producers

W13: Russia/Gazprom

W14: Actor report: Italy/Eni

Grading criteria leading seminar exercise and actor report

Descriptor Excellent 4-5 Satisfactory 2-3 Unsatisfactory 0-1 Presentation skills

Very well structured; focused and clear presentation Good use of visual aid (where provided)

Well-structured, mostly focused presentation. Appropriate visual aid (where provided)

Disorganized and unclear presentation. Visual aid is not used or organized at best (where provided).

Leading discussion

Very good leading questions; shows authority and easiness in steering debates

Overall engaging leading questions; confidence in steering debates

Uncertainty and discomfort in leading debates; the leading questions fail to intercept the audience’s interest.

Engagement with the audience

Relevant follow-up questions; ability to steer the debates and to keep the audience engaged

Overall good ability to steer discussions and to invoke some discussions

Inability to steer the debates and to engage with the audience

Content The student identifies the relevant arguments of the readings and makes a link to current debates Student places the reading in a wider academic context

The student identifies the relevant arguments and makes a link to the current debates Ability to place reading in a wider academic context could be improved

Difficulties to identify arguments, link it to current debates Fails to place reading in a wider academic context Inability to critically evaluate the literature.


The student compares, contrasts and synthesizes the main authors and arguments It evaluates strengths and weaknesses of the literature

The student is able to compare and synthesis some of the arguments but does not comprehend the full scope of the rationale Able to point at strengths and weaknesses of the literature but is not able to further elaborate on it

Total 20 points

5. Research Paper – An essay about or analysis of European energy security strategies and related issues

You are required to write an essay on one of the core issues of European energy security. Students can select among the range of energy-related topics covered by the course. In order to get the course instructor’s approval for the topic of your choice, a short outline needs to be delivered. This should be done as soon as you can but no later than February 15 (W5). The paper outline should provide a clear research question and an indication of how you are going to investigate it.

Your Essay is due April 18 (W12). Submission by email ([email protected]) and turnitin.

� You need to consult seven to ten academic references (such as books and academic journals), online sources are vital to the crafting of your concept paper. Create your own portfolio of relevant think tanks and official documents. This is going to help you throughout the negotiation!

� The paper should be about 3000-3500 words and should also contain: Word count; Title page, footnotes (where needed), and bibliography.

� Please submit the paper electronically (in Word format). � NOTE: your paper only counts as accepted if you handed in an electronic

copy. Failure to do so will result in an ‘F’. � The paper has to be typed in Microsoft Word, Times New Roman 12 pt, 1.5

spaced with 2 cm margins. � Papers should be structured by several sections, distinguishable by clear

headings. Make sure that each section is coherent and that the argument draws on and follows the selected subtitle.

Extension will not be granted except for attested emergency situations. Having a computer problem, attending to a wedding, or doing an internship are not considered as emergency situations. Students are responsible to start well in advance and backup their work. This policy will be strictly enforced. NOTE: your essay only counts as Accepted if you handed in an electronic copy. Failure to do so will result in an ‘F’.


The paper should be structured as follows:

Part 1 Your research question: What energy security-related issue are you analysing? What is your core argument? Why is the topic important? The question should be as clear and simple as reasonably possible. The research question may be a mere empirical, factual and/or theoretical question, it may cover material that has not been covered yet in class. Often research questions change throughout the research in the light of new additional empirical/theoretical information. Irrespective of eventual changes your initial research questions should be as clear as possible.

Part 2 What are some of the counter-arguments? What is your theoretical framework?

Part 3 What are your main arguments and what is the supporting evidence?

Part 4 Your overall conclusions

References A bibliography directly related to the research question or research topic.

System of bibliographic referencing

There are many systems for the citation of references. For this course, I expect you to use the Harvard style of referencing. Student can find a detailed Harvard Guide at the following website: http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/referencing.htm. To learn how to acknowledge, quote and paraphrase consulted material, please, also consult the following short guide for “Acknowledging, Paraphrasing, and Quoting Sources”, available at: writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/Acknowledging_Sources.pdf .

Grading criteria research paper

0-1 point 2-3 point 4-5 point

Ability to summarize a complex factual background

Some factual information is missing or the topic is not clearly identified

Most relevant information is presented but the core analytical elements are not clearly identified

Key facts are presented in an original, succinct, and analytical manner.

Understanding of a country/institution’s stake

The paper loosely interprets the national/institutional position on the issue. It contains factual imprecisions and shows poor understanding of a given

The paper presents in a realistic way the position of a given country/institution. Yet, there are some factual imprecisions and the policy suggestions are unrealistic.

The paper shows a sound understanding of a country/institution stake. It elaborates clearly on the possible options and


country/institution’s stake

advances convincing proposals.

Critical thinking

Flat and imprecise paper; flows in the analysis, no critical understanding of the topic

Good use of sources, but no critical understanding of the topic analyzed.

The paper reveals a personal and critical understanding of the analyzed topic.

Structure, writing, bibliography and referencing

The argument is not developed in a coherent way; Language is poor. References are incomplete and the quoting system is not coherent. Less than 3 good references.

Some important conceptual and analytical pitfalls in the development of the argument; the writing is hard to read. At least 3 good references

The argument is developed in a coherent and appropriate way; Language is overall correct; seven to ten good references covering factual background and theories.

Total 20 points

Additional Course Policies

Late papers will not be accepted unless there are serious legitimate reasons. Provision of a signed medical note is required, and notice must be given prior to the deadline.

Academic Honesty

Academic dishonesty is NOT tolerated in this course. Academic honesty is not only an ethical issue but also the foundation of scholarship. Cheating and plagiarism are therefore serious breaches of academic integrity. Following the College policy, cheating and plagiarism cases will be communicated in writing to the Associate Dean for Students and submitted to the Student Conduct Committee for disciplinary action.


Major Learning Objectives, Teaching Methods, Testing and Feed-back Questionnaire Course code and course name: POL213G, European energy security strategies in a world of growing insecurities Instructor: Dr. Thomas Sattich Summary: Number of assignments used in this course: 6 Number of Feedback occasions in this course (either written or oral): 1 (post mid-term exam) Number and Types of of Teaching Methods: Does your course require graded student oral presentations?: yes

Please fill out the following table per course you teach.

Major Learning Objectives Course Learning objectives addressing the Major Objectives (choose the most important ones that your course actually addresses)

Methods used to Teach Course Objectives

Methods (and numbers/types of assignments) used to test these learning objectives

Type, Timing and Numbers of Feedback given to Student

The bachelor has a profound knowledge of the main actors and the main processes in European and global international affairs and is able to apply this knowledge in the current international affairs.

The bachelor has a demonstrable insight in the theoretical and historical frameworks in the academic literature on international affairs. He is able to apply these frameworks in order to






understand and interpret the current processes and dynamics in international affairs.

The bachelor has insight into the broad societal context and is able to take this societal context into account in the analysis and interpretation of current problems in international affairs.

Acquire substantial background knowledge of Europe’s energy situation, European energy policy, global energy trends, the geopolitics of energy and the prospect of different energy sources.

Learn about the history of European integration and the development of common EU energy policies in general, and EU’s energy security strategies in particular.

Midterm exam: Discussion

The bachelor knows and is able to apply common qualitative and quantitative research methods and is able to apply these in the field of international affairs.

Explore the aims and limits of European energy policy, and the way the European Union attempts to secure its energy supply in the coming decades.

Assess critically the tensions/overlaps between EU’s energy policy, environmental policy, and national perspectives on security of supply.

Identify the core strategies and interests of other actors and institutions on the field of energy

Critically compare, contrast and assess complex issues such as energy security, and to apply them in a creative manner to conceptual debates and real-life global problems.






security, including NATO.

The bachelor has an open and academic attitude, characterized by accuracy, critical reflection and academic curiosity.

Gather, analyse and critically evaluate a broad range of information sources in the field of energy policy. Use appropriate style and a correct reference system. Differentiate between empirical and normative statements.

Research Paper: Written feedback

The bachelor is able to apply a multi-disciplinary perspective in his analysis of international affairs.

Minutes, news: Direct feedback, discussion

The bachelor is able to work in a multi-cultural team.

Teamwork.

Develop an international mind-set and a strong capacity for interaction and networking.

To be open and critical toward one’s own and others’ perspectives.

The bachelor recognizes the importance of life-long learning.

Develop passion for learning and commitment to one’s work.

The bachelor is able to communicate clearly, fluently and accurately; as well in a written report as in an oral presentation.

Communicate effectively key research findings on core issues of International Affairs, including presentation techniques and academic writing.

Leading seminar and actor report: Direct feedback, discussion






The bachelor is able to include ethical judgments in his analysis of current problems in international affairs and assesses the impact of these ethical judgments on the solutions proposed for current international affairs.

2016 pol213g course syllabus - vesalius college · 2016 pol213g course syllabus ... dreyer, i. and...

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