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Political Science & Social Sciences

Development, Energy and Sustainability

When:

30 June - 25 July 2025

School:

University of Oslo – International Summer School

Institution:

University of Oslo

City:

Oslo

Country:

Norway

Language:

English

Credits:

10 EC

Fee:

255 EUR

registration deadline 01 March 2025
Interested?
Development, Energy and Sustainability

About

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.

Target group

Level: Bachelor's course

No obligatory prerequisites beyond the minimum requirements for entrance to higher education in Norway.

Course aim

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.

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.

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.

Fee info

Fee

255 EUR, Fee for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens. The course is paid in NOK, so the EURO price is an estimate. Please check the options for accommodation at our website.

Fee

2050 EUR, Fee for international students (except EU/ EEA/Swiss citizens). The course is paid in NOK, so the EURO price is an estimate. Please check the options for accommodation at our website.

Interested?

When:

30 June - 25 July 2025

School:

University of Oslo – International Summer School

Institution:

University of Oslo

Language:

English

Credits:

10 EC

registration deadline 01 March 2025 Visit school

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