Online Seminar

Title:
Conflicts of interest in European energy policy
Eligible for participation:
BA PVS: Module V3; Module VP2;
Location:
Online, Moodle
Address:
Moodle; Video conferences (Adobe Connect or Zoom); details will be disclosed after registration
Dates:
26/05/2021 to
14/07/2021
Duration:
Wed., 26/05/21, 18:00 - 20:00
Wed., 02/06/21, 18:00 - 20:00
Wed., 23/06/21, 18:00 - 20:00
Wed., 14/07/21, 18:00 - 20:00
(90 to 120 minutes)
Faculty:
Daniel Rasch
Registration deadline:
07/05/2021
Registration procedure:
Note: Registration was closed early due to the high number of registrations. Students already registered will be informed shortly whether they can participate or receive a place on the waiting list.
Contact for further information:
Email: Daniel Rasch , Phone: +49 2331 987-4844

Online seminar as equivalent to on-site seminar according to the examination regulations as part of BA PVS for students after completion of the core modules, especially those enrolled in modules VP2 and V3.

Contents

At the beginning, the seminar introduces relevant institutional arrangements of the EU and identifies key political actors in European energy politics. The energy sector is responsible for more than 75 percent of European greenhouse gas emissions. Considering the level of ambition in climate policy, energy policy is a very conflicted field. The focus of this seminar is on the promotion of renewable energy since its inception in directive 2008/28/EC. Participants learn to navigate the European legislative database (EUR-Lex) and – in guided self-direction – identify the conflicts of interest of decision makers, member states, the industry, and societal actors. The spotlight is on the analysis of the political process and the synopsis of interests and conflicts, as well as on which of these are reflected in the policy outcome. Can we identify winners and losers of the political process?

Seminar structure

This seminar is taught as a coordinated combination of synchronous (four online sessions of 90 to 120 minutes in Zoom) and asynchronous (individual or group tasks in between online sessions) forms of learning, i.e., after the second session a workload of 2 to 3 hours per week can be expected. Students choose a relevant political actor and, working individually or in small groups, extract their interests from the material provided in Moodle. The objective is to generate a synopsis of interests and conflicts which enables a comparison among each other and vis-à-vis the policy outcome. The core question will be: Who articulated which interests where and could realize them?

Technical requirements

Computer with stable LAN/WLAN connection, camera, headphones with microphone, ideally Zoom software already installed. Sessions are booked from 17:30 to 20:30 as a precaution.

Requirements for credit

Students are expected to take on and complete assignments responsibly. Successful participation in the seminar will be recognized mainly through your contribution to the synopsis. Willingness to read texts in English is expected.