International Energy Diplomacy

Explore the art and science of international energy diplomacy through undergraduate and graduate courses. Using case studies and simulations, these courses prepare students for careers in diplomacy, global governance, and international relations.

Undergraduate Course (Bachelor’s Level)

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of international energy diplomacy, examining how energy resources, infrastructure, and transitions shape diplomatic relations. Through seminars, case studies, and simulations, students analyse bilateral and multilateral energy negotiations, crisis diplomacy, and the role of energy in foreign policy, with a particular focus on Eurasia and Africa.

Learning Outcomes

  • Understand the historical development of energy diplomacy and its institutions.
  • Identify key actors, practices, and norms shaping international energy relations.
  • Analyse diplomatic strategies and outcomes in energy-related cases.
  • Develop practical skills in policy brief writing and negotiation simulations related to energy issues.

Assessment

  • Class Participation (25%): Engage in discussions and group exercises.
  • Case Study Report (25%): 1,500-word analysis of a diplomatic event (e.g., Ukraine crisis). Due Week 8.
  • Final Essay (50%): 3,000-word essay on diplomatic strategy (e.g., EU-Africa energy diplomacy). Due Week 11.

Structure

  1. What Is Energy Diplomacy?: Definitions, scope, and why energy is central to modern diplomacy.
  2. The Evolution of Energy Diplomacy: From oil diplomacy and colonial legacies to climate and transition diplomacy.
  3. Bilateral Energy Diplomacy: Energy relations between states, including pipelines, supply contracts, and transit states.
  4. Multilateral Energy Diplomacy: OPEC, IEA, Gas Exporting Countries Forum, regional organisations, and summits.
  5. Energy Diplomacy in Practice: Negotiation techniques, bargaining power, and diplomatic protocol in energy talks.
  6. Energy and Crisis Diplomacy: Energy disputes and crises, including the Russia–Ukraine energy relationship and supply disruptions.
  7. Economic and Trade Dimensions of Energy Diplomacy: Energy trade agreements, investment diplomacy, and African energy partnerships.
  8. Energy, Development, and South–South Diplomacy: Energy access, infrastructure finance, and development diplomacy in Africa.
  9. Non-State Actors and Energy Diplomacy: Roles of energy companies, NGOs, financial institutions, and regulators.
  10. Energy, Climate, and Environmental Diplomacy: Climate negotiations, just transition debates, and renewable energy cooperation.
  11. Digitalisation, Security, and the Future of Energy Diplomacy: Energy infrastructure security, cyber risks, and emerging diplomatic challenges.
  12. Simulation – Negotiating a Regional Energy Agreement: Multilateral negotiation over energy supply, transit, and sustainability.

Graduate Course (Master’s Level)

This advanced course critically examines energy diplomacy as a strategic tool in international relations and global governance. Students analyse how energy resources, infrastructure, and transitions shape power, cooperation, and conflict in Eurasia and Africa. Through theory-driven seminars, simulations, and research, the course develops advanced analytical and policy skills.

Learning Outcomes

  • Critically analyse the strategic role of energy diplomacy in international relations.
  • Assess the effectiveness of energy diplomatic strategies across regions.
  • Evaluate institutional constraints and opportunities in global energy governance.
  • Apply theoretical and practical tools to complex energy diplomacy simulations.

Assessment

  • Class Participation (25%): Contribute to seminars and simulations.
  • Case Study Report (25%): 2,000-word policy brief on a diplomatic issue (e.g., UN mediation). Due Week 8.
  • Final Essay (50%): 5,000-word research paper on diplomatic strategy (e.g., China–Russia energy diplomacy). Due Week 11.

Structure

  1. Energy Diplomacy in International Relations Theory: Realism, liberalism, constructivism, and political economy perspectives.
  2. Historical Shifts in Global Energy Diplomacy: From imperial resource control to global energy governance.
  3. Institutions of Energy Diplomacy: UN bodies, IEA, OPEC, regional organisations, and global forums.
  4. Power, Interdependence, and Energy Diplomacy: Energy leverage, asymmetry, and strategic bargaining.
  5. Energy Diplomacy and Conflict: Mediation, dispute resolution, and energy-related peacebuilding in Eurasia.
  6. Great Power Energy Diplomacy: Comparative analysis of the US, China, EU, Russia, and their engagement with Africa.
  7. Small States, Transit States, and Energy Negotiation: Agency and strategy of middle and small powers.
  8. Transnational and Sub-State Energy Diplomacy: Cities, regions, companies, and civil society in energy governance.
  9. Strategic Communication and Energy Narratives: Energy security discourse, climate narratives, and soft power.
  10. Security, Risk, and Energy Diplomacy: Infrastructure protection, cyber risks, sanctions, and resilience diplomacy.
  11. Future of Energy Diplomacy: AI, climate geopolitics, and evolving governance challenges.
  12. Simulation – Global Energy Governance Crisis: High-level diplomatic simulation involving supply disruption, transition pressures, and geopolitical competition.

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