Syllabus - Sascha Müller-Kraenner

There are two objectives in this course. The first is to understand the interrelated challenges of energy security and climate change. The existing governance structure of international energy and climate policy will be discussed.Energy policy challenges are being addresses on multiple levels, starting with the UN and other multilateral treaties, on the EU and national, as well as on a sub national level. Multiple stakeholedrs, including government, business and NGOs engage in the interrelated debates on climate change and energy security. The course will consider views coming from all mentioned stakeholder groups.

The second is to describe how the European Union could play a leadership role in advancing international climate policy and a regional energy security policy that secures supply, stabilizes prices and safeguards the environment. Recent proposals by the European Commission to develop a strategic energy policy for Europe will play a prominent role in our course. The EU’s climate policy course will be discussed both in the context of the EU’s domestic policy debate as in the context of global post Kyoto climate talks.

Teaching

I will give an introduction and we will discuss the respective texts in depth. Country and case studies will be discussed in small groups and be the subject of semester papers by individual students. The course will focus on practical experiences from the policy and NGO world. Outside experts from those areas will possibly be invited as guest speakers.

Requirements and Grading

• active class participation (25%)
• 1000-1500 word summary of 2 out of the 12 sessions, due the Monday after the respective session at 9:00 (25%)
• one country or case study per semester due the Monday of the last session at 9:00 (50%)