After the course …
- You are able to explain and evaluate the meaning of fossil energy for society (by using interdisciplinary concepts)
- You are able to describe and argue how innovation contributes to industrialization and (non-)sustainable development (by presenting case studies)
- You are able investigate and demonstrate three nexus that connect nature and society in energy transitions (by using your own writing): energy and water, energy and labour, and energy and land
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How does fossil energy affect nature and society? What is the role of science, technology and innovation in the history and future of industrialization? How do energy transitions shape the trajectory of industrial regions? In this course, students learn how historical and contemporary energy transitions affect the (non-)sustainable development of industrial regions.
Processes of industrialization fundamentally transform the relationship of humans, and the rest of nature. This becomes most visible in regions that emerged with coal mining. Be it in Limburg (Netherlands), the Ruhrgebiet (Germany) or Silesia (Poland) – the availability, extraction and combustion of fossil fuels has brought about a specific relationship between, economy, ecology and culture. Based on technologies, business models and relatively cheap workers, industrial regions literally fueled the rise of modern societies. This went hand in hand with fundamental changes in regional landscapes, for instance in food production, river management or infrastructure and engineering. Political institutions have emerged to support the fossil industries, and to contain social and environmental damages. Even local cultures, for instance the image of the male coal miner, closely connect to this history. While fossil energy continuously shape industrial regions, climate change requires drastic changes. The continuous production and consumption of fossil energy has transformed and fundamentally challenged the relationship of nature and society. But, the need for rapid energy transitions spurs conflict, specifically among affected communities in industrial regions.
The course gives specific local insights, and draws on broad connections between natural scientific and social scientific research. During introductory lectures, students learn about core concepts and historical cases. During group assignments they will explore and orally present case studies from exemplary regions. In individual essays they elaborate specific connections between energy and society. Students from all faculties can contribute, while expanding their interdisciplinary understanding of nature-society relations.
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Foreknowledge from the environmental sciences or social sciences is helpful, but not necessary (“a pre”) .
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The course combines formative assignments, a group presentation and a summative assignment in the form of an individual academic essay. The essay should analyze the conditions and consequences of post-fossil change in industrial regions. It should focus on a specific problem, place, event or phenomenon. Students should use course literature in the essay. Students are supported in the process of essay writing.
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