BSc Geography / Course details

Energy, Society and Space is based on the premise that energy systems have become a core part of modern societies, since they heavily influence the location and dynamics of human economic and social activities. We will critically examine the contingent power relations that emerge from the centrality of fossil fuels to the production and reproduction of capitalist social relations, while investigating the extent to which a transition to ‘alternative’ energies necessarily accompany transformations in the social and political contingencies of capitalism. This course unit follows on from first- and second-year courses that have examined the links between spatial formations, on the one hand, and global social, economic, environmental or urban trends, on the other. We will apply some of the questions opened in such courses to the geographies of sustainability, energy flows, society, space and capitalism. 

The unit is delivered through online lectures, seminars, students’ readings of key texts and other types of materials such as videos. By using a range of teaching methods, we aim to provide inclusive spaces where knowledge is co-produced by teachers and learners. 

• Understand and being able to outline the reasons, character and consequences of the main social, environmental and political issues arising from the production and consumption of energy across the world; 

• Critical analyse and demonstrate how energy geographies can inform the relations between capitalism and global energy systems and practices;
• Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of different theories and explanations;
• Relate theoretical arguments with empirical evidence; 

• Evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of different theories and explanations;
• Connect theory, politics and policy; 

• Critical thinking and reflection;
• Motivation and self-directed learning;

Take-at-home, open book examination                                                   60%

Individual Essay                                               1500 words                    40%

Take-at-home open book examination:

Feedback is provided at the revisions session as well as on a one-to-one basis online.

Individual essay:

Students have an opportunity to engage in several stages of formative feedback prior to submitting the coursework, including consultation sessions, 2 workshops and verbal formative feedback on their 300 word essay outlines delivered in designated seminar sessions and Student Support Hours in lecturer’s office (if student miss seminars). The feedback on their final essay is provided within the usual turnaround time.

There is no overall reading list for the course. Each week there are a small number of required readings, mostly academic journal articles. A study guide is provided for each lecture with recommended readings included. You will also been encouraged and supported to discover other, supplementary academic readings for the particular themes on the course. 

Key journals: Energy Research and Social Science, Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Environment and Planning A, Transactions of the IBG, Geoforum, Antipode