ESSn5010 Energy Relations in Asia

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2020
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Timetable
Thu 20. 2. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 27. 2. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 5. 3. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 12. 3. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 19. 3. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 26. 3. 10:00–11:40 U23, Thu 2. 4. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 9. 4. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 23. 4. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 30. 4. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 7. 5. 10:00–11:40 U32, Thu 14. 5. 10:00–11:40 U32
Prerequisites
! ESS410 Energy Relations in Asia && ! NOW ( ESS410 Energy Relations in Asia )
Ability to read, discuss, and write in academic English. Willingness to work independently during the course.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to use the Asian example to build on and further strengthen students' knowledge of the energy systems implications and transformations. In its basic reasoning, the course is complementary with the introductory course to the Energy Policy Studies programme, at the same time, it is easily understandable also for students with no previous theoretical or empirical knowledge. The traditional point of view on energy systems as ensuring security and reliability of supplies is broadened here by reflections around accessibility and affordability of energy services and environmental sustainability. The course reasoning is further based on the assumption of mutual influence of social and material factors. On one hand, available energy resources are transformed to energy services and used to meet various human needs. On the other hand, energy systems have a retroactive effect on organization of society. Energy systems are part of economic strategies and foreign policies; they form new territories and identities; they connect and divide; they can lead to cooperation of various actors as well as to innumerable conflicts and negative phenomena, the most acute of which is climate change. Despite embeddedness of energy systems in the ongoing functioning of society, students learn not to understand them as something given and constant. Energy systems can also change and have been transformed many times in the history with direct repercussions on our everyday living. The course follows the above mentioned reasoning to firstly introduce how energy gets part of the selected actors (China, Russia, Central Asian producers…) foreign policies and strategies; and secondly to broaden the traditional thinking by reflections around accessibility, affordability and sustainability so to discuss the energy policies of Asian countries in their complexity.
Learning outcomes
After finishing the course, the students will be able to define major characteristics of energy policies in the region and assess their consequences. They will comprehend the links between various aspects of energy policies, such as the long-standing emphasis of states on the security of fossil fuel supplies over the environmental impact of existing policies, and the need to ensure energy security in synergy with economic growth and persisting energy poverty. They will understand the motives of states to move from traditional to modern sources of energy, as well as the reasons and major obstacles for existing energy systems transition. They will get familiar with the most important energy conflicts and controversies in the region.
Syllabus
  • 1) Introductory lecture; 2) Energy and Chinese activities in Eurasia: same goals with new name; 3) The Chinese energy policy towards Russia; 4) The Asian dimension of the Russian energy policy; 5) Natural gas export from Central Asia: opportunities and challenges; 6) Reading week; 7) Energy consumption patterns in the region; 8) Energy poverty in the South and Southeast Asia: implications and possible solutions; 9) Nuclear energy and Japan´s path-dependencies; 10) "Worlds of coal" vs. Indian low-carbon future; 11) "Energy Revolution" in China: promises and critiques; 12) Energy conflicts and controversies in the region; 13) Selected issues related to the Asian energy policies and the course wrap-up.
Literature
  • Energy security challenges for the 21st century : a reference handbook. Edited by Gal Luft - Anne Korin. Santa Barbara, Calif.: Praeger Security International. xv, 372. ISBN 9780275999971. 2009. info
  • China's energy security : a multidimensional perspective. Edited by Giulia C. Romano - Jean-François Di Meglio. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group. x, 259. ISBN 9780815355984. 2016. info
  • ANDREWS-SPEED, C. P. The governance of energy in China : transition to a low-carbon economy. Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan. xvi, 259. ISBN 9780230221505. 2012. info
  • JIRUŠEK, Martin, Tomáš VLČEK, Hedvika KOĎOUSKOVÁ, Roger W. ROBINSON, Anna LESHCHENKO, Filip ČERNOCH, Lukáš LEHOTSKÝ and Veronika ZAPLETALOVÁ. Energy Security in Central and Eastern Europe and the Operations of Russian State-Owned Energy Enterprises. Brno: Masarykova univerzita. 696 pp. ISBN 978-80-210-8048-5. doi:10.5817/CZ.MUNI.M210-8048-2015. 2015. Čítárna Munispace info
  • Energy poverty : global challenges and local solutions. Edited by Benjamin K. Sovacool - Jon Rozhon - Antoine Halff. First edition. Oxford: Oxford university press. xv, 459. ISBN 9780199682362. 2014. info
Teaching methods
Readings aim to broaden and deepen the spectrum of knowledge students acquire during lectures and seminars; seminars include preparation and discussion = active participation of students is required; final test examines whether students understand the subject matter.
Assessment methods
Class preparation papers and active participation in classes; final exam.
Language of instruction
English
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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