MEBn4002 Energy Security

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2026
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
doc. Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Filip Černoch, Ph.D. (lecturer)
doc. Mgr. Jan Osička, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: doc. Mgr. Hedvika Koďousková, Ph.D.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Prerequisites (in Czech)
! MEB429 Energy Security and Geopol. && !NOW( MEB429 Energy Security and Geopol. )
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 course focuses on energy security as a dynamic, historically and locally contingent concept whose meaning evolves (not only) in response to geopolitical, economic, and technological factors. It is based on a systemic socio-technical approach (Högselius, 2019), which illustrates how today’s complex energy systems have developed over time, the (unexpected) dependencies and vulnerabilities they create, and their implications for modern societies and the strategies of various actors. At the same time, the course applies the vulnerability perspective (Jewell & Brutschin, 2021), which allows for an understanding not only of direct threats to critical energy systems but also of the diversity of perspectives—ranging from classical geopolitical notions of security, technical and infrastructural approaches, depoliticization, economic reasoning, and resilience-focused frameworks to analyses that highlight how energy security functions as a political and discursive tool. Additionally, the course explores the relationship between energy security, access to energy services, and sustainability. In its final section, it adopts a critical perspective, examining the reductive and performative roles of energy security concepts and frameworks, along with their potential consequences. Despite the diversity of perspectives introduced, the course remains empirically grounded, using a broad range of case studies to illustrate key approaches and concepts. Overall, the aim is thus to provide students with not only knowledge but also the ability to think about energy issues from new perspectives.
Learning outcomes
Upon completing the course, the student will be able to understand the consequences of the historical development of energy systems and their current characteristics in relation to energy security. They will gain knowledge of various approaches to energy security, their theoretical foundations, and their potential applications in research. Additionally, they will be able to critically engage with both theoretical and empirical insights and apply them in their own research on energy security topics.
Syllabus
1) Introductory session – Discussion on the concept of energy security and an overview of the course structure; 2) Energy systems from a historical perspective – Changes in energy flows over time and space and the reasons for being "locked in" to energy-intensive development pathways; 3) Vertical and horizontal complexity of contemporary energy systems – Governance challenges and the existence of (unforeseen) dependencies and vulnerabilities; 4) The sovereignty perspective; 5) Energy security as a social construct; 6 & 7) The robustness perspective; 8 & 9) The resilience perspective; 10) Reading week – Preparation for final projects; 11) Energy security in relation to aspirational goals of accessibility and sustainability; 12) Critical perspectives on energy security; 13) Course wrap-up and student project presentations.
Literature
  • HÖGSELIUS, Per. Energy and geopolitics. First published. London: Routledge, 2019, ix, 192. ISBN 9781138038394. info
  • The Oxford handbook of energy politics. Edited by Kathleen J. Hancock - Juliann Emmons Allison. New York: Oxford university press, 2021, xvi, 813. ISBN 9780190861360. info
  • DANNREUTHER, Roland. Energy security. First published. Cambridge: Polity, 2017, vii, 220. ISBN 9780745661919. info
  • Handbook on the geopolitics of the energy transition. Edited by Daniel Scholten. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar publishing, 2023, xiii, 562. ISBN 9781800370425. info
  • KESTER, Johannes. The politics of energy security : critical security studies, new materialism and governmentality. First published. London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2018, vi, 240. ISBN 9780367507664. info
Teaching methods
Reading of obligatory (recommended) literature and searching for additional sources; preparation for classes; lectures; presentation of preparations and research puzzles; discussions/reflections.
Assessment methods
Creative assignments for classes in the form of mind maps, diagrams, collages, etc. (selected students present in class as part of discussions or reflections on the given topic); identification, development, and presentation of a research puzzle; final written exam.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught every week.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2020, Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2026, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/spring2026/MEBn4002