SGO2500 – North/South Development: Energy transitions

This course provides a geographical and critical perspective to global development, with a focus on energy in the Global South. The goal is to introduce students to the fundamental challenges related to a green energy transition in the Global South.

Considering the need to divest from fossil energies, energy transitions are at the heart of global sustainable development and debates concerning how to meet current as well as future needs - while at the same time balancing social, economic and ecological considerations.

The materiality of different forms of energy not only impacts nature and climate; it also shapes conditions for democracy and development. The course looks at historical transitions to fossil energies as well as the discussions on transitions away from fossil energies. The burdens and benefits in energy systems and energy transitions are unevenly distributed within and between countries. People of the Global South have less access to energy, while also suffering more from the consequences of climate change, making questions of justice key in debates over energy transitions. In 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.

Knowledge

After completing the course, students will

• Have knowledge of key concepts, theories and perspectives of development from a geographical perspective.
• Have knowledge of key concepts and perspectives related to actors, processes and institutions relevant to the study of energy transitions in the global South.
• Be familiar with the discussions on how colonial legacies of North South-relations have conditioned energy transitions.
• Be able to 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 related to the improvement of people’s living conditions in the global South.

Skills

After completing the course, students

• Can apply concepts, theories and perspectives on processes of development and energy transitions in the global South.
• Can evaluate energy systems and energy transitions issues from a geographical and energy 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.
• Have practice in group work and discussion, and to give and take constructive feedback on the topics of 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.

Teaching is delivered through lectures and plenary seminars. Seminars include individual and group tasks, discussion, presentations, and plenary activities on selected topics.

The course is designed for both Norwegian and international students. The lectures and seminars will be held in English.

A 4-hour school exam.

Previous exams