Course: Geography of Energy

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Course title Geography of Energy
Course code KGG/KGEN
Organizational form of instruction Lecture + Lesson
Level of course unspecified
Year of study not specified
Semester Summer
Number of ECTS credits 4
Language of instruction Czech
Status of course unspecified
Form of instruction Face-to-face
Work placements This is not an internship
Recommended optional programme components None
Lecturer(s)
  • Frantál Bohumil, RNDr. Ph.D.
Course content
Syllabus (topics): 1. Energy geography as a discipline in the system of sciences, its origin, development and main representatives. 2. Properties and controversies of energy sources, historical energy transitions and their social and spatial consequences. 3. Main current topics and theoretical concepts of energy geography 3. Fossil energy: resource curse theory and just transition of coal and carbon intensive regions. 4. Renewable energy development: spatial diffusion, social acceptance and local land use conflicts. 6. Energy and tourism: energy as a driving force of tourism, a threat to development and a tourist attraction. 7. Energy behavior of households: smart-home technologies, electromobility, and new energy consumption patterns

Learning activities and teaching methods
Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Work with Text (with Book, Textbook)
  • Homework for Teaching - 20 hours per semester
  • Semestral Work - 34 hours per semester
  • Preparation for the Exam - 40 hours per semester
  • Attendace - 26 hours per semester
Learning outcomes
The aim of the course is to introduce students to the issues and discussions of current issues in the discipline of energy geography, which deals with spatial relationships, environmental aspects and social and economic impacts of energy production, distribution and consumption as fundamental determinants of all human activities. Key theories, concepts and personalities of energy geography will be introduced. Seminars will include critical discussions on current issues related to energy transitions, energy security and energy justice, local conflicts related to the development of renewable energy sources and other issues. During the seminars and discussions, students will be guided to a critical view of the topics studied and to take their own position. The acquired knowledge should allow students make informed decisions bout energy and understand how those decisions may influence both their personal life as well as life in broader community. Main topics: 1. Energy geography as a discipline in the system of sciences, its origin, development and main representatives 2. Properties and controversies of energy sources, historical energy transitions and their social and spatial consequences 3. Main current topics and theoretical concepts of energy geography 3. Fossil energy: resource curse theory and just transition of coal and carbon intensive regions 4. Renewable energy development: spatial diffusion, social acceptance and local land use conflicts 6. Energy and tourism: energy as a driving force of tourism, a threat to development and a tourist attraction 7. Energy behavior of households: smart-home technologies, electromobility, and new energy consumption patterns
Students will be able to describe and explain the basic theoretical concepts of energy geography and apply them to particular examples of current issues in the context of climate change and energy transition. Students will be able to critically assess the positive and negative aspects of the use of different energy sources from the perspective of energy security, sustainability and justice. The acquired knowledge should allow students make informed decisions bout energy and understand how those decisions may influence both their personal life as well as life in broader community.
Prerequisites
Knowledge within the scope of mandatory study subjects preceding this subject in the curriculum.

Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam, Student performance, Seminar Work

Successful completion of the course is conditional upon meeting all the requirements listed below. Conditions for obtaining course credit: 1. Timely registration in the Moodle system; 2. Continuous study of course materials and adherence to the tutor's instructions; 3. Submission of all mandatory assignments by the deadlines set by the tutor; 4. Proper completion of all assigned tasks and, if applicable, any supplementary seminar papers; Only a student who has received a credit may take the final exam. Failure to meet the conditions for receiving a credit means that the exam cannot be taken. The oral exam takes the form of a draw of two questions regarding key theoretical concepts of energy geography. The student must answer both questions satisfactorily. The emphasis is placed primarily on understanding the issue, the ability to interpret and connect theory with specific examples (realissues) from practice.
Recommended literature
  • Bouzarovski, S., Pasqualetti, M. J., & Broto, V. C. (2017). The Routledge research companion to energy geographies..
  • Calvert, K. From energy geography to energy geographies? Perspectives on a fertile academic borderland. Progress in Human Geography, 40(1), 105-125. 2016.
  • Pasqualetti, M. J., & Brown, M. A. Ancient discipline, modern concern: Geographers in the field of energy and society. Energy Research & Social Science, 1, 122-133. 2014.
  • Ptak, T., Stock, R., Sareen, S., & Kumar, A. Repositioning energy geographies in a time of crisis: Arguments from a subdiscipline on the margins of geography. Dialogues in Human Geography. 20438206251316025. 2025.
  • Smil, V. Energie: Průvodce pro začátečníky. Zlín. 2022.
  • Solomon, B. D., & Calvert, K. E. (2017). Handbook on the Geographies of Energy..


Study plans that include the course
Faculty Study plan (Version) Category of Branch/Specialization Recommended year of study Recommended semester