EDS349 Energy and Society

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:John Andrew Mcneish

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk

Limits of class size:20

Course frequency:Biannual. Next course in January 2026

Nominal workload:125 hours

Teaching and exam period:Course Assignment delivered at end of January block

About this course

The course provides an introduction to social science perspectives on the complex relationship between energy and society. At its foundation the course aims to reveal to students the fundamental reliance that exists between energy resources, human development and concepts of power and modernity. Direct connection is made in the course to the challenges of sustainable development and energy transition.

Learning outcome

Knowledge goals:

Students shall gain deeper insight into energy politics and the linkages between social and economic development and energy use. Students shall acquire the capacity to use theory to study concrete cases concerning energy politics and governance at the national and local level. The course makes explicit and critical use of theoretical approaches drawn from science and technology studies (STS), anthropology, economics, political science, political economy and political ecology. Students shall develop the capacity to undertake interdisciplinary analyses and obtain higher-level understanding of the ways in which society, resources and technology interact and influence the possibilities of human decision-making. The students will learn to connect theoretical perspectives and approaches to practical policy issues, and through analysis suggest political solutions where efficiency, legitimacy and political viability are considered important criteria.

The use of digital storytelling as both an assessment and learning method assists students to form a strong personal and qualified connection with the themes of the course.

Skill Goals:

Students shall acquire the skills to study various strategies for the sustainable use of energy resources. Energy resources are studied individually within the context of international agreements, national policies and local politics. In relation to this, the inter-relationship between state, business and civil society is emphasized. Students shall, finally, be able to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of existing energy governance structures, and develop and evaluate ideas for alternative solutions. Given the importance of communicating to both specialists and the general public, the course encourages students to work collaboratively, to study both academic and policy-related documentation, and to present their opinions and ideas in plenum.

General goals:

Through active participation in class discussions, student presentations, group work, visual and written assignments students develop their skills in critical thinking. The course aims to encourage reflection on both their own and other people's attitudes, values and norms and develop self-reflection around the relationships between society and nature as well as scientific and interpersonal relationships.

Learning activities
The course will employ a combination of standard lectures and a total of three workshops introducing students to digital storytelling. These workshops and associated story-circles are important elements of the course methodology, enabling a deeply contemplative connection between the individual student and the thematics of the course. As well as the only means of assessment, digital stories also represent a central element of the teaching methodology in the course. Through these workshops and story circles student have opportunity to both work and learn together, leading up to the delivery of an individually produced and complete digital story.
Teaching support
Three workshops will be run by the Learning Centre on digital story-telling on three separate days through the course. The Learning Centre will also provide both technical supervision and support outwith these workshops and throughout the course period.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of social theory. The course is particularly relevant to the Masters programmes in International Environmental Studies, Development Studies and International Relations
Recommended prerequisites
Basic knowledge of social theory
Assessment method
Single assessment.
Students will produce a digital story in which they analyze cases of energy development, conflict or transition. These are between 3 and 5 minutes in length.
The following elements are also considered essential in terms of their content i.e.
1.Empirical knowledge of the theme and context (based on existing credible secondary or primary sources)
2. Academic discussion and analysis (reviewing the current state of the art of an issue)
3. Positioning in response to these (your own position and argument).
Each of the student digital stories will be examined by the course leader together with an external examiner. Here a combination of both technical skill, delivery and the essential elements assessed above will be points of assessment.

Assignment Grading: Letter grades
Examiner scheme
Internal examiner and Learning Centre representative
Mandatory activity
Students are expected to take an active role in class discussions, group work and plenary presentations.
100% attendence (unless student´s circumstances require exceptions. This should be agreed with the course convener).
During the course students are expected to produce an individually produced digital-story in which personal experience and interests are combined with learned theory and course literature to analyze cases of energy development, conflict or transition.
Digital storytelling at its most basic is the practice of using computer-based tools to tell stories. There are a wealth of other terms used to describe this practice, such as digital documentaries, computer-based narratives, digital essays, electronic memoirs, interactive storytelling, etc.; but in general, they all revolve around the idea of combining the art of producing a reflective narrative with a variety of multimedia, including graphics, audio, video, and Web publishing. In the case of this course these narratives are required to be well evidenced and argued.
Teaching hours
26 hours
Preferential right
Students registered in the Masters of International Development Studies, Development Studies or International Relations.
Admission requirements
Students enrolled in the International Environmental Studies, Development Studies and International Relations Masters Programmes will be given prioritized entry to the course. Students from other Masters programmes at NMBU are also encouraged to register for the course.