6 EC
Semester 1, period 2
5264ECCS6Y
This course focuses on the inseparable links between energy use and climate change and, consequently, the unavoidable connection between energy, science, finance, ethics, and public policy. The entire course is truly multi-disciplinary, in the sense that the challenges associated with the subject matter of energy and climate change are simultaneously taught from a natural scientific, public policy and financial perspective. Through an examination of these subjects, this course explores numerous closely-related themes that exemplify the complexity of human energy production, distribution, storage, and usage as it relates to the interaction between: (1) science/engineering, (2) finance/economics, (3) public policy, (4) environment/sustainability and (5) ethics (individual and collective).
Literature references
Background material
Sheets of lectures
The course consists of a series of lectures/seminars, in which students are expected to play an active role, i.e. prepare papers, a presentation and participation in class discussion.
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Activity |
Number of hours |
|
|
Lectures |
26 |
|
|
Self-study: Reading the literature references |
70 |
|
|
Working on short papers |
24 |
|
|
Working on the team newsletter |
30 |
|
|
Preparing a presentation |
18 |
|
|
Total |
168 |
|
Requirements of the programme concerning attendance (OER-B):
Additional requirements for this course:
Attendance of the meetings is compulsory. If a student is absent more than once, he/she is in principle excluded from receiving credits for the course, unless it is caused by an explained emergency or an inevitable overlap with the compulsory masters programme. At all times the coordinator and corresponding lecturer need to be informed of absence before any of the classes.
| Item and weight | Details |
|
Final grade |
Attendance
Attendance of the meetings is compulsory. If a student is absent more than once, he/she is in principle excluded from receiving credits for the course, unless it is caused by an explained emergency or an inevitable overlap with the compulsory master’s programme. At all times the coordinator needs to be informed by email of absence prior to the class that will be missed.
Assessment
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Item and weight (examination elements)
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Grading Key: Three Short Papers and Individual Article in Team Newsletter: The papers are graded on the following areas:
Examination: When registered for the course, students are automatically registered for the grading elements of the course (i.e. class participation, the team newsletter and presentation and the three individual papers). A low score on one examination element can be compensated with higher grades for the others. To complete the course successfully, your weighed grade should be 5.50 minimally.
Second chance: In case (and only in case) the final score is graded below 5.50, an improved version of one of the three individual papers can be turned in. This is the only second chance option in this class and is only available when all other required elements of the course have been met, including presence in class and meeting paper deadlines. If this second opportunity is skipped, the deadline for the re-try is not met, or it is met but no overall grade of > or = 5.50 is achieved, the whole course has to be taken again the following year
Other Notes in Regards to Grading: If students have valid reasons for not being able to meet (one of) the required elements (lecture presence or assignments) they have to send an e-mail to the coordinator to explain the student’s case. If the circumstances are addressed as sufficiently valid, the solution is discussed on an individual basis. Communication about personal circumstances have to take place before the given deadline(s).
The exact topic for three of the four assignments is at the discretion of the student (please note one restriction noted below on the science paper - second paper). Although not required, students are encouraged to confirm (in-person, verbally or by email) with Professor van Boxel (topic must be selected from a list on Canvas) or Ganzi the title/subject of each paper to make sure the topic is correctly focused. If a student chooses to not get input on the topic it is possible that the paper may be graded as a zero if it does not deal with the relevant subject matter (i.e., science, public policy, finance, or for the final paper all three subjects) for the assignment.
The components of each short paper should include the following at a minimum:
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A. Individual assignments
There are three short papers that comprise a total of 60% of the course grade (20% each).
Format for short papers: All three short papers will conform to the same basic format:
Penalties for not following direction on individual papers:
1. First short paper
This should be based on the two lectures (Ganzi and guest speaker) and publications from the public policy reading list. The deadline for the second paper is 16th November at 9.00 AM, counts for 20% of the total grade. The paper needs to be emailed to Senior Lecturer John Ganzi (J.T.Ganzi@uva.nl and johnganzi@gmail.com).
2. Second short paper
This paper should focus on a topic covered in the lectures of Dr. John van Boxel. The deadline for the first paper is 24th November at 9.00 AM. Counts for 20% of the total grade. Must be based on one publication from the list on Canvas and three to five additional peer reviewed scientific publications, which the student must find him/herself. The paper needs to be emailed to Dr. John van Boxel (J.H.vanBoxel@uva.nl), with a copy to Senior Lecturer John Ganzi (J.T.Ganzi@uva.nl and johnganzi@gmail.com).
3. Third short paper
The third paper should be based on the publications list and lectures related to finance/economics. The deadline for the third paper is 2nd of December at 9.00 AM, counts for 20% of the total grade. The paper needs to be emailed to Senior Lecturer John Ganzi (J.T.Ganzi@uva.nl and johnganzi@gmail.com).
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NOTE: In addition to basing your paper on the lectures and distributed publications lists, you are encouraged to do your own secondary research of publications and others research on these three areas in order to further develop your selected topic and increase the grade score for your paper.
Each group (group size to be determined based on number of enrolled students**) in principle can chose any topic that will integrate all three core issues related to energy and climate change (i.e. science/engineering, finance, and public policy), with the restriction that each topic can only be selected by one team in the class. An initial list of possible topics will be distributed in class, but you are also encouraged to create your own topic. Registration for topics operates on a first-come first-choice basis. Teams register their chosen topic by submitting a one-line headline and short paragraph description, starting at 2000 on 06/11 to Professor Ganzi as soon as possible, but no later than Friday the 12th November at 9.00 AM.
(** Team composition: Must include at least 1 male and 1 female, must include 1 NL citizen and 1 non-NL citizen, should include at least 2 separate major areas of study).
Format for team assignment
This activity represents 40% of the entire grade and covers the three main course components:
Penalties for not following direction on newsletter:
The group newsletter consists of a series of components. The main components are the individual papers by the team members, a quality cover, the table of contents, the executive summary at the beginning, the conclusion at the end plus all auxiliary materials deemed relevant by the team (photos, graphics, footnotes, citations, etc…). The type, paper size, etc that are required for the short papers apply here, but for visual impact there are no restrictions (other than page limits) on graphics or photography use.
The presentations exact length will be based on the number of teams, so the exact length will be established by class 6 of the term.
The presentation should be designed to inform the other students and others attendees at the presentation, plus also be designed to be somewhat interactive with the audience. A PP presentation is strongly recommended and use of other audio-visual components (video, photos, live polls, flip charts, …) is encouraged as it will enhance the viewers experience and recall of the presentation. The presentation should be a companion piece to the newsletter and not be presenting new material. It should not assume the reader will ever read the newsletter, as fellow students not on your team will most likely never read it.
NOTE: This entire activity may be impacted by Covid19 restrictions so we may need to revisit how this presentation will be made based on safety considerations and government guidelines.
Class participation and attendance:
Loss of 5 if one class missed without approval. Missing more than 1 class see attendance write-up.
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
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Maandag Monday |
Dinsdag Tuesday |
Woensdag Wednesday |
Donderdag Thursday |
Vrijdag Friday |
Week |
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|
2/11 1700 - 1900: Lecture 1, Room F1.02 Create teams |
3/11 1300 - 1500: Lecture 2, Room D1.111 |
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5/11 1300 - 1500: Lecture 3, Room F2.04, finalize teams |
44 |
|
8/11 1100 – 1300: Lecture 4, Public Policy, Room F2.04 |
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12/11 1300 - 1500: Lecture 5, Confirm team topic Dr. Hugo von Meijenfeldt (Global Compact and NL Gov’t – retired) Room F2.04 |
45 |
|
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16/11 1100 - 1300: Lecture 6, Prof. John van Boxel; Room D1.111, First paper by 0900 |
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19/11 1300 - 1500: Lecture 7, Prof. John van Boxel, Room F2.04 |
46 |
|
|
|
Second paper by 0900 |
25/11: 1100 – 1300: Lecture 8, Finance, Room D1.111 |
26/11 1200- 1500: Lecture 9 Mr. Guan Schellekens (ECB) 1200 – 1300 On line, 1300 - 1400 Prof Ganzi/prior year student at DNB, and Ms. Mercedes Sotoca (FMO) in-person 1400 – 1500; Room F2.04 |
47 |
|
|
30/11 0900 - 1100: Lecture 10, Prof Johan Wempe(VU) Room D1.111 |
Third paper by 0900 |
03/12: 1300 - 1500: Lecture 11 Room F2.04
|
48 |
|
|
|
Team meetings with professor |
Team meetings with professor |
Team meetings with professor |
|
49 |
|
|
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15/12 by 1000: Group newsletter submitted 15/12 1300 - 1700: Team presentations; Room C0.05 |
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|
50 |
15/12 Team presentations (order will be set based on random draw) and group newsletter due
The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
While most of the participating students are likely to have done prior studies in the natural, earth or environmental sciences, they are not necessarily expected to possess a background in science and technology in general or in environment or energy science specifically. Readings and lectures provide that background as necessary. In other words, this course is in principle also open for students with a background in e.g. political, social sciences, business, finance, or economics, but with an interest in the subject matter of energy and climate change.
The skills we do expect you to have acquired beforehand is that you are able to demonstrate your ability to interpret used concepts and theories correctly and to argue adequately, reason logically and scientifically, and write clearly and consistently in English. This has to be reflected in both your oral assignments (class participation and presentation) and written assignments.
Students who have a deficiency in any of those skills, are advised to repair their shortcomings via the Deficiency Skills
Labs that are offered:
A Deficiency Skills Lab on Recognizing Social Theories.
A Deficiency Skills Lab on Critical Thinking & Scientific Argumentation.
Both Skills Labs take the form of a self-tutorial module (see the Canvas site of the course Research Workshop of the Master Earth Sciences).
Moreover, you are advised to participate in the Concomitant Skills Lab Writing an Academic Essay, where you will be able to further practice your skills with regard to academic writing.
For those of you who feel they need some extra support on their Presentation Skills, we advise you to do a self-tutorial Deficiency Skills Lab on Presentation / Rhetoric, see www.coursera.org/ course/thinkagain.