Tobias Schmidt: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2019 |  |
| Name | Prof. Dr. Tobias Schmidt |
| Field | Energy and Technology Policy |
| Address | Energie- und Technologiepolitik ETH Zürich, CLD C 12.1 Clausiusstrasse 37 8092 Zürich SWITZERLAND |
| Telephone | +41 44 632 04 86 |
| tobiasschmidt@ethz.ch | |
| URL | http://www.epg.ethz.ch |
| Department | Humanities, Social and Political Sciences |
| Relationship | Full Professor |
| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 851-0609-06L | Governing the Energy Transition  Number of participants limited to 25. Primarily suited for Master and PhD level. | 3 credits | 2V | T. Schmidt, S. Sewerin | |
| Abstract | This course addresses the role of policy and its underlying politics in the transformation of the energy sector. It covers historical, socio-economic, and political perspectives and applies various theoretical concepts to specific aspects of governing the energy transition. | ||||
| Learning objective | - To gain an overview of the history of the transition of large technical systems - To recognize current challenges in the energy system to understand the theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying transitions - To demonstrate knowledge on the role of policy and politics in energy transitions | ||||
| Content | Climate change, access to energy and other societal challenges are directly linked to the way we use and create energy. Both the recent United Nations Paris climate change agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals make a fast and extensive transition of the energy system necessary. This course introduces the social and environmental challenges involved in the energy sector and discusses the implications of these challenges for the rate and direction of technical change in the energy sector. It compares the current situation with historical socio-technical transitions and derives the consequences for policy-making. It then introduces theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying innovation and transitions. It then focuses on the role of policy and policy change in governing the energy transition, considering the role of political actors, institutions and policy feedback. The course has a highly interactive (seminar-like) character. Students are expected to actively engage in the weekly discussions and to give a presentation (15-20 minutes) on one of the weekly topics during that particular session. The presentation and participation in the discussions will form one part of the final grade (50%), the remaining 50% of the final grade will be formed by a final exam. | ||||
| Lecture notes | Slides and reading material will be made available via moodle.ethz.ch (only for registered students). | ||||
| Literature | A reading list will be provided via moodle.ethz.ch at the beginning of the semester. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course is particularly suited for students of the following programmes: MA Comparative International Studies; MSc Energy Science & Technology; MSc Environmental Sciences; MSc Management, Technology & Economics; MSc Science, Technology & Policy; ETH & UZH PhD programmes. | ||||
| 857-0103-00L | Topics in Public Policy: Governing the Energy Transition Only for MA Comparative and International Studies. | 8 credits | 2V + 3S | T. Schmidt, S. Sewerin | |
| Abstract | This course addresses the role of policy and its underlying politics in the transformation of the energy sector. It covers historical, socio-economic, and political perspectives and applies various theoretical concepts to specific aspects of governing the energy transition. On this basis, students develop their own research project and produce a research paper. | ||||
| Learning objective | - To gain an overview of the history of the transition of large technical systems - To recognize current challenges in the energy system to understand the theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying transitions - To demonstrate knowledge on the role of policy and politics in energy transitions - To develop own research question and address it in research paper | ||||
| Content | Climate change, access to energy and other societal challenges are directly linked to the way we use and create energy. Both the recent United Nations Paris climate change agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals make a fast and extensive transition of the energy system necessary. This course introduces the social and environmental challenges involved in the energy sector and discusses the implications of these challenges for the rate and direction of technical change in the energy sector. It compares the current situation with historical socio-technical transitions and derives the consequences for policy-making. It then introduces theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying innovation and transitions. It then focuses on the role of public policy and policy change in governing the energy transitions, considering the role of political actors, institutions and policy feedback. The course has a highly interactive (seminar-like) character. Students are expected to actively engage in the weekly discussions and to give a presentation (15-20 minutes) on one of the weekly topics during that particular session. In addition to weekly lectures and student presentations, students will write a research paper of approximately 6000 words. The presentation and participation in the discussions will form one part of the final grade (20%), the final exam another (20%), with the research paper forming the rest (60%). | ||||
| Lecture notes | Slides and reading material will be made available via moodle.ethz.ch (only for registered students). | ||||
| Literature | A reading list will be provided via moodle.ethz.ch at the beginning of the semester. | ||||
| Prerequisites / Notice | This course is intended for the MA Comparative International Studies programme. | ||||
| 860-0031-00L | Policy Analysis 1 Only for Science, Technology, and Policy MSc. | 4 credits | 2V | T. Schmidt, B. Steffen | |
| Abstract | The course Policy Analysis 1 will introduce important concepts and methods for ex-ante policy analysis. It will mostly focus on the policy content (vis-à-vis the policy process). We will primarily discuss quantitative methods. The course will contain several practical assignments in which students have to apply the concepts and methods studied. | ||||
| Learning objective | Students should gain the skill to perform policy analyses independently. To this end, students will be enabled to understand a policy problem and the rationale for policy intervention; to select appropriate impact categories and methods to address a policy problem through policy analysis; to assess policy alternatives, using various ex-ante policy analysis methods; and to communicate the results of the analysis. | ||||
| Content | The course has four major topics: •Rationales for public policy in Science and Technology •Impact of policies on firms and investors •Impacts of policies on socio-technical systems •Impact of policies on society at large | ||||