Energy and Climate Change; Science, Policy and Economics
5264ECCS6Y | |||||
6 (EC) | |||||
English | |||||
27 October 2014 - 19 December 2014 | |||||
Graduate School of Life and Earth Sciences | |||||
mw. Dr. J.C. Tromp | |||||
| Aanmelden | |||||
Leerdoelen
- Achieving understanding of the multi-disciplinary dimensions of the challenge of mitigating global climate change, in terms of science, policy and economics.
- Comprehending the technological, political and economic obstacles that need to be overcome to transform energy supply into a more sustainable energy system.
- Identifying more broadly the challenges regarding the implementation of sustainable development and the transition towards a sustainable world.
- Becoming acquainted with the institutions relevant for the implementation of sustainable energy solutions, particularly in view of controlling climate change.
Inhoud
This course focuses on the inseparable links between energy use and climate change and, consequently, the unavoidable connection between energy and environmental policy. The entire course is truly multi-disciplinary, in the sense that the challenges associated with the subject matter of energy and climate change are simultaneously taught from a natural scientific, public policy and general economics perspective. Through an examination of this subject, this course also explores three closely-related themes that exemplify the complexity of the interaction between science and technology on the one hand and economics and public policy on the other hand: the challenges of achieving political acceptance, both nationally and internationally, of scientific consensus in the face of ever-present scientific uncertainty; the extent and the limitations of science as a driving force for public policy; and the role of technological development in influencing political choices.
Aanbevolen voorkennis
While most of the participating students are likely to have done prior studies in the natural, earth or environmental sciences, they are not necessarily expected to possess a background in science and technology in general or in environment or energy science specifically. Readings and lectures provide that background as necessary.
Aanmelden
First-year students of the Master Earth Sciences will be allowed to register for this course in September. The procedure will be announced in August-September 2014.Registration for this course via https://www.sis.uva.nl at least 4 weeks before the start of the semester is mandatory.
Werkvorm
The course consists of a series of lectures, in which students are expected to play an active role, i.e. prepare presentations and participation in class discussion.
Onderwijstijden
The course schedule can be found at https://datanose.nl/
Studiemateriaal
Literature references, background material, sheets of the lectures et cetera, are all placed on Blackboard.
Toetsvorm
Participation in class counts for 15% of the overall grade, and is based on the preparation students have made for the lectures by reading the relevant literature references, and on their active participation in class.
Another 15% of the grade is based on the presentation that each student gives during one of the lectures.
Furthermore, during the course, each student must submit two short papers of max. 1000 words (max. 2 pages), each counting for 20% of the total grade.
The remaining 30% of the total grade is based on the medium-sized paper of max. 2000 words (max. 4 pages), with which students completes the course.