SGO2500 – North/South Development: Energy transitions
Course description
Course content
This course provides a geographical and critical perspective to global development, with a focus on energy transition processes in and in relation to the global South. The course aims to provide students with a fundamental understanding of the challenges related to sustainable development from the perspective of the global South by focusing on energy transitions.
In light of climate change and the need to divest from fossil energies, energy transitions are at the heart of global development and sustainability debates concerning how to meet current as well as future needs while balancing social, economic and ecological considerations.Energy is fundamental to individual and collective social and economic development. Furthermore, types of energy and how energy is produced and consumed not only impact nature and climate; it also shapes conditions for democracy and development. Thus, energy transitions - fundamental changes in energy production and consumption patterns that involve technological, economic, social and cultural changes - have impact on opportunities and challenges in development. We look at historical transitions to fossil energies as well as the discussions on transitions away from fossil energies.?The burden and benefits in energy systems and energy transitions are unevenly controlled and distributed within and between countries. Peoples of the global South have less access to energy, while also suffering more from the consequences of climate change. Through the course, we discuss how the systems and conditions for energy transitions are shaped by historical and uneven relations between the Global South and North.
The different patterns, pathways, and experiences of energy transitions across different countries illuminate not only the inherent difficulties of pursuing sustainability but also the fundamental differences between the global North and South in terms of development priorities, capacities and challenges. Questions of justice, in terms of distribution of burden and benefits and roles in decision making over energy transitions is key.
Core issues of energy and development and energy transitions are addressed from the perspective of the global South and placed in the context of global sustainability. The awareness of a spatial perspective to development problems and processes will enable students to identify and understand the impact of regional and global processes on people’s lives in specific places.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
After completing the course, students will
- Have knowledge of key concepts, theories and perspectives related to energy and energy transitions for sustainable development from a geographical perspective.
- Be familiar with key concepts and perspectives related to actors, processes and institutions relevant to the study of energy transitions and development in the global South.
- Understand the role of energy systems in shaping conditions for democracy and development within and between countries.
- Be familiar with the discussions on how colonial legacies of North South-relations has conditioned transitions to fossil energy and conditions the green transition to renewable energies.
- Can explain the movements and flows of energy, and how that affects development in the global South.
- Be able to discuss burden and benefits in energy transition from perspectives of justice.
- Can analyze the dynamics of energy transitions at the global, national and local levels and understand various interests and contestations.
- Have greater knowledge about the opportunities and challenges when it comes to improving people’s living conditions in the global South.
Skills
After completing the course, students
- Can apply concepts, theories and perspectives on energy and development to understand issues and processes related to the global South.
- Can evaluate energy systems and energy transitions issues from a geographical and justice perspectives, being attentive to spatial differences and processes.
- Can identify the relation between processes at different geographical levels in issues related to resources, actors and institutions in the global South.
Competences
After completing the course, students
- Have a broad and critical understanding of North-South development and energy transitions.
- Are able to present and give constructive feedback on the topics of the course.
- Have practice in systematizing and presenting information.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about?admission requirements and procedures.
Recommended previous knowledge
SGO1001 – Innf?ring i samfunnsgeografi
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with SGEOGS.
- 10 credits overlap with SGEOGS.
- 10 credits overlap with SGEOR.
- 10 credits overlap with SGEOR.
- 10 credits overlap with SGO120.
- 10 credits overlap with SGO120.
- 10 credits overlap with SGO2500P.
Teaching
This course will be taught at The University of Oslo, Blindern campus. Other locations in Oslo may be used.
The lectures and seminars will be given in English. The course is designed for both Norwegian students and international students.
The course is part of the regular course provision at The Faculty of Social Science. Teaching is mainly held during daytime.
Compulsory activity
- Participation in the seminars is compulsory. Valid absence is allowed for a maximum of 2 seminars.
- ?The seminars will combine individual and group work, small written assignments, discussions and oral presentations.
- ?A guide for seminar work will be posted in Canvas
Completed and approved compulsory course work is valid until the course is no longer offered. Students who have failed to complete the compulsory course work cannot take the exam. Change of seminar groups Application for change of seminar group.
?
Absence from compulsory tuition activities
If you are ill or have another valid reason for being absent from compulsory tuition activities, your absence may be approved or the compulsory activity may be postponed.
Access to teaching
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.
Examination
A 4-hour school exam.
Examination support material
Students may use dictionaries at this exam. Dictionaries must be handed in before the examination. Please read regulations for dictionaries permitted at the examination.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in English.You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.