2016-17 Term 2
Tuesdays 2:30-5:30
C.K. Choi Building 120
Professor George Hoberg
Liu Institute for Global Issues Room 205
george.hoberg@ubc.ca (604) 822-3728
0ffice hours: Tuesday 10:30-11:30, Wednesday 2-3
PDF of syllabus ceen-525-syllabus-2017-version-jan-4
The course will address the energy policy process and governance, focusing on the opportunities for and constraints on the clean energy transition. Geographically the most focus will be on Canada, but there will also be a substantial amount of material from other jurisdictions.
Topics include:
- Opportunities and challenges for deep decarbonization
- Sustainable energy as a social and political challenge
- Policy analysis in a political context
- Policy instruments in energy policy
- Formal government structures and process
- Actors in the policy process (government and interest groups): interests, resources, strategies
- Energy planning and approval processes, and the challenge of social license
- The special challenge of addressing energy poverty
- International trade agreements as constraints to clean energy policy
- The implications of the Trump presidency for decarbonization
The major assignment for the course is writing a policy brief to the senior government official responsible for energy policy of a country (or state/province) on policies to achieve decarbonization of a major component of the energy system by 2050. Assessment will be based on four components:
- 3 mini-briefs (10% each for 30% total) – described below
- class participation (15%)
- class presentation (5%)
- policy brief (50%) – described below
Late assignments: There will be a penalty of 4% per calendar day for late papers.
Class participation will be assessed on the basis of quantity and, especially, quality of participation. Attendance is expected, and absences will affect the participation grade. Students are expected to do the assigned readings before coming into class, and be prepared to discuss them in a critical fashion. Students who are less comfortable speaking in class should see the professor about ways how to create more comfort or explore alternatives modes of participation. All students are also expected to contribute to a 5 minute in-class presentation once during the term on one of the three mini-briefs.
