Assignment: Energy and Geopolitics
Assessed activities
• All guidelines herein MUST be followed.
• Assignment must be handed in by the deadline. Late assignments will NOT be accepted unless submitted with proof of a bona fide reason.
• All assignments must have the question number and the actual question on the title slide or title page. Place your name and course title/code also on this front piece.
• All assignments must be referenced in the content and with a reference list at the end - using the Harvard Referencing System.
• Use charts, tables, maps and photos and explain them in your content.
• All assignments should follow the following guidelines with titled sections:
1. Title page/slide
2. Introduction
3. Purpose statement
4. Body of main argument and development
5. Conclusion(s)
6. Reference list
First Assignment-
Referenced PPT presentation of maximum 15 slides.
Assignment and papers (including PPT presentations) are to be referenced when others' ideas are used, whether quoted or paraphrased. Include an alphabetical reference list at the end of assignments.
Cite all materials and ideas used with the Harvard Referencing System.
Second Assignment-
Follow up the topic chosen in your first PPT assignment to develop a research paper of 2,000 words.
Essay is to be referenced when others' ideas are used, whether quoted or paraphrased. Include an alphabetical reference list at the end of assignments. Cite all materials and ideas used with the Harvard Referencing System.
This is a seen exam which you have the questions for, from the beginning of the course, so you can plan from the beginning. The actual venue and time for the exam will be published during the semester. You will attend the exam and answer the questions of your choice under exam conditions.
Answer one (one) of the following questions:
1. Discuss whether gas, coal and nuclear energy are about to replace oil as the main energy source.
2. What geopolitical recommendations would you make to your government to secure the supply of energy resources? Why would you make such recommendations?
3. What is the "Olduvai Theory", what can we learn from it, and how could a nation avoid it?
4. If you were the CEO of an energy company, what policies, based on your geopolitical understanding, would you recommend for the viability of your company? (You will need to argue these policies based on your declared geopolitics in the paper.)
5. Alternative energy geopolitics can't replace fossil fuels' geopolitics. Discuss
6. Discuss how the future of civilization lies in dealing with the energy problem at both ends - both geopolitics and innovative technology in a restructured society.
7. Energy superpowers will rule the world. Discuss from an energy geopolitical perspective.
8. Energy exporting countries, except for Russia, will not become superpowers? Critically consider the geopolitical implications of such a statement.
9. Oil will stay cheap for some decades yet. Discuss whether this is likely and what the geopolitical implications are of your stance.
10. What are the geopolitical implications for the international competition for resources in the Persian Gulf, the Caspian Basin or Africa?
11. Consider the implications of "Peak Oil" for world geopolitics and potential civilization clash.
12. How can the "World Island" help us to geopolitically understand the future geopolitical forces of energy?