This seminar critically examines current climate and energy politics through the lens of key theories of international relations, taking as its point of departure the current shift in US politics and its geopolitical impacts on international energy and climate regimes. Students will engage with approaches such as realism, institutional liberalism, constructivism, Marxism, feminism, and postcolonialism. Through various case studies, including US withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the shift from the European Green Deal towards the 'Clean Industrial Deal', the development of the international climate change regime and ongoing resource conflicts between and within states, students will be encouraged to reflect on how international law, institutions and diverse actors shape — and are shaped by — global power dynamics, interests, and norms and what this means for the future of just climate and energy politics.

The seminar is open to students from all disciplines with an interest in international energy and climate politics and critical debate through different theoretical lenses. A good command of English (reading, writing and speaking) is essential. Regular and active participation (including seminar preparation) as well as a short oral presentation are required to earn 2 credits. To earn 3 credits, an additional (short) final paper is due at the end of the semester.

2 – 3 LP

registration required: https://plus.campus.kit.edu/signmeup/procedures/6066