Module description
Energy Security and Energy Transition in Eurasia will focus on the evolving geopolitics of energy security in Eurasia. The module’s emphasis will be on Russia and Eurasia’s place in global energy, with a focus on the relationships between the key energy suppliers (Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan) and key markets (the European Union and Asia). The module will also provide a theoretical framework on energy security and geopolitics, historical perspective on natural resources as a source of power and conflict, and a comprehensive understanding of the changing economic and structural imperatives in the energy sectors with implications for Eurasia.
Assessment details
- 2,500 word essay (50%)
- 2,000 word scenario essay (30%)
- Energy-model with 500 word summary (10%)
- Class participation (10%)
Educational aims & objectives
This module aims to educate students the proper research, analytical and presentation skills that will enhance their employability and professional growth. For the purpose, we will go beyond the traditional subject of Eurasian pipeline politics—an area well covered in daily news outlets. Our approach will be based on an in-depth analysis of energy balances of select countries in Eurasia, ensuring that energy economics is well integrated in our discussion of Eurasian energy geopolitics. We will employ a solid theoretical framework and analytical tools such as developing building blocks for energy scenarios, and introductory level energy models. In the meantime, we will be mindful of changing fundamentals in the international energy markets, and apply knowledge from the module to analysing current events.
Learning outcomes
1) Ability to evaluate comprehensively the energy sectors, energy and climate policies in Russia/Eurasia region;
2) Capability to understand energy developments in Eurasia and their international implications by looking through key concepts and theories about energy security, geopolitics and energy transition; gain a better understanding of the nexus between energy and foreign policy;
3) Ability to critically assess contrasting energy security concerns among supplier, transit and consumer counties;
4) Ability to assess challenging energy and climate policy choices facing decision-makers and constraints in implementing them;
5) Ability to evaluate political, economic and regulatory risks for energy development in Eurasia;
6) Advanced knowledge on key players, including energy companies, in Eurasian energy;
7) Advanced understanding of the impact of technological development on energy security and energy transition;
8) Skills in scenario-making related to energy geopolitics and energy transition;
9) Aptitude in determining reliable sources of information (including statistical data) on energy developments amidst a sea of misinformation (due to bias and/or wishful thinking);
10) Enhanced skills in delivering policy-oriented analysis in written and oral form;
11) Skills in basic energy modelling on Excel.
Teaching pattern
Weekly 1-hour lecture & 1-hour seminar