Energy and environment problems recently increase importance under the circumstance with globalized economy. This course sheds light on the energy and environment issues in Japan and the other nations in the world using various data, documents, and academic papers. This course provides students with a basic knowledge and analytical method and framework through examining concrete policies and analytical examples, by which each student can examine energy and environment problems in the context of technology, economy, and social systems.
The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of social issues related to energy, resource, and environment, and establish a basic knowledge of students through which they can consider practical solutions for the issues based on some analytical methods in economics.
At the end of this course, students will:
(1) Understand current status and issues of energy and environment in Japan and the other nations in the world
(2) Understand how energy and environment problems are related to technology, economy, and social systems
(3) Have in-depth understanding with respect to solutions for energy and environment issues applying methods of economics
Energy issues, environment issues, economics, energy technology, social systems
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | ✔ Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Students obtain basic knowledge and ability to understand energy and environment issues from lectures. Group discussions on selected topics are combined with lectures.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction | Explain outline and purpose of this course |
Class 2 | Basic framework of energy problems | Revisit definitions of energy and resources, understand basics of energy and environment problems |
Class 3 | Demand and supply of energy | Understand demand and supply structure of energy |
Class 4 | Demand and supply of coal, oil, and natural gas | Understand demand and supply structure of coal, oil, and natural gas based on current status of Japan and the world |
Class 5 | Oil market and oil industry | Understand historical background and current trend of oil market and oil industry |
Class 6 | Electricity and gas | Understand basics of electricity and gas consumptions, electricity and gas industries, and supply structure of electricity and gas |
Class 7 | Market liberalization of electricity and gas | Understand recent market liberalization of electricity and gas industries |
Class 8 | Energy mix and economic growth I | Understand energy mix and economic growth in the context of technological progress |
None specified
Specified in the class.
Achievement is assessed by participation in the class and the final report.
This is the prerequisite course to take "Energy Technology and Social System II".
Energy Technology and Economic and Social System I and II are provided as a series of lectures. Taking II is a required condition to take I.