STS: Energy, Environment and Society 2

The course provides an introduction to social science perspectives on issues related to energy and the environment. It focuses on the following main issues: An historical overview of the Norwegian energy system, the development of energy technologies, energy supply and energy policy. Political strategies for sustainable energy. Processes of innovation, commercialisation and technological change. The understanding of energy users in technological design and in policy instruments. Energy actors and their role in the making of a more sustainable production and consumption of energy. Strategies for climate adapation. Energy, sustainability and democracy.

Students of this course have knowledge of:
-social scientific understandings of energy, with focus on environmental, social, political and cultural aspects of production and consumption of energy
-how the perspectives taught in the course are relevant to understanding the technological- and societal development


Students of this course are skilled at:
-working interdependently with solving issues using knowledge from the course
-utilizing knowledge gained from the course when analyzing and gaining a deeper understanding of their academic practices
-utilizing knowledge gained from the course to solve practical and theoretical problems, including the ability to reach independent conclusions
-writing and understanding analytical, well reasoned academic texts

The teaching consists of lectures, student activities and discussions. One minor term paper must be passed in order to take the exam. The course is graded on the basis of a four hours written exam.