Course content

The course offers and introduction to social scientific perspectives on energy and environment, theories and methods for analyzing the social, political and economical aspects my production and consumption of energy. There is a specific focus on the Norwegian energy system and the development of energy technologies, energy supply and energy justice. Both innovation processes and strategies for renewable energy and environment are important subjects, as is commercialization, technological change and different user perspectives. The course is open to all students, and is part of the STS (studies in knowledge, technology and society) annual study program, which can be subject 2 / broad-based year in most bachelor's degrees and qualifies for admission to PPU (social studies)

Learning outcome

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
• central issues within social scientific studies of renewable energy technologies, with emphasis on innovation, controversies and domestication
• 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

Learning methods and activities

The course is taught as a combination of lectures, seminars and project work. In order to qualify for exam, the student has to fulfill a minimum of 5 work requirements. These can be both individual and group based and in different formats, for instance essay, presentation, digital narrative, blog and so on.

Obligatory activities

• Minimum 5 approved work requirements

Compulsory assignments

• Oblig

Recommended previous knowledge

None

Required previous knowledge

None

Course materials

Will be given at the start of the course.

Credit reductions