Explore the critical role of energy infrastructure in global security through undergraduate and graduate courses in Protecting Energy Infrastructure: Global Risks and Responses. Focusing on Eurasia and Africa, these courses use case studies and simulations to prepare students for careers in cybersecurity, energy policy, and international security.
Undergraduate Course (Bachelor’s Level)
This course introduces the strategic importance of energy infrastructure in international relations. Through interactive seminars and case studies, students examine threats like sabotage, cyberattacks, and natural disasters, focusing on pipelines, grids, and maritime routes in Africa and Eurasia.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify types and global distribution of energy infrastructure.
- Understand threats from political, technological, and environmental causes.
- Analyse case studies to assess disruption causes and impacts.
- Explore policies and international cooperation for infrastructure protection.
Assessment
- Class Participation (25%): Engage in discussions and group exercises.
- Case Study Report (25%): 1,500-word analysis of a disruption (e.g., African pipeline sabotage). Due Week 8.
- Final Essay (50%): 3,000-word essay on infrastructure security (e.g., maritime chokepoints). Due Week 11.
Structure
- Introduction to Energy Infrastructure and Global Security: Examines infrastructure’s role in national and global stability.
- Threats to Infrastructure: Sabotage, Terrorism, Natural Disasters: Explores risks to energy systems from diverse sources.
- Key Maritime Routes and Chokepoints: Analyses security of routes like the Strait of Hormuz and Bab el-Mandeb.
- Pipelines as Geopolitical Tools: Studies pipeline politics in Eurasia and Africa.
- Power Stations and Grid Vulnerability: Investigates risks to electricity infrastructure.
- Cyber Incidents in Energy Systems: Examines cyberattacks on energy networks.
- International Responses and Cooperation: Reviews global frameworks like IEA initiatives.
- Non-State Actors and Infrastructure Attacks: Focuses on terrorist and insurgent threats.
- Energy and Environmental Risks: Assesses climate impacts on infrastructure.
- Case Focus – Africa’s Energy Infrastructure Challenges: Explores security issues in African energy systems.
- Student Policy Workshop: Response Strategies: Develops practical protection strategies.
Graduate Course (Master’s Level)
This advanced course analyses the geopolitical and strategic dimensions of energy infrastructure protection. Through seminars, simulations, and research, students explore threats, governance, and resilience strategies in a multipolar world, emphasizing Eurasia and Africa.
Learning Outcomes
- Evaluate infrastructure’s role in statecraft and power projection.
- Assess multi-domain threats to energy systems.
- Analyse legal, technical, and international frameworks for protection.
- Design strategies for national and global infrastructure resilience.
Assessment
- Class Participation (25%): Contribute to seminars and simulations.
- Case Study Report (25%): 2,000-word strategy brief on a threat (e.g., cyberattack in Africa). Due Week 8.
- Final Essay (50%): 5,000-word research paper on infrastructure security (e.g., Eurasian pipelines). Due Week 11.
Structure
- Strategic Infrastructure and National Power: Links infrastructure to geopolitical statecraft.
- Mapping Global Energy Infrastructure Risk: Examines interdependencies in Eurasia and Africa.
- Hybrid Threats and Infrastructure Warfare: Studies combined cyber and physical attacks.
- Infrastructure Vulnerability in Armed Conflict: Analyses war’s impact on energy systems.
- Cyber-Physical Systems and Offensive Cyber Operations: Explores cybersecurity challenges.
- Energy Infrastructure and Maritime Security Regimes: Investigates foreign policy and sea routes.
- Institutional Architecture: NATO, G7, African Union, IEA: Reviews global governance roles.
- Private Sector and Security Partnerships: Examines industry’s role in protection.
- Gaps in International Law and Infrastructure Norms: Assesses legal and normative challenges.
- Infrastructure and Geopolitical Competition in the Global South: Focuses on African and Eurasian dynamics.
- Simulation Exercise – National Infrastructure Security Strategy: Develops a security briefing.