IR4569 Geopolitics of Energy in the Caspian Region

Academic year

2025 to 2026 Semester 2

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

30

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 10

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Not automatically available to General Degree students

Planned timetable

Thurs 12pm

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module coordinator

Dr M Fumagalli

Dr M Fumagalli
This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module Staff

Dr M Fumagalli

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The module discusses the links between energy and international politics and security in and around the Caspian Region. The module has three main objectives. First, it familiarises students with the main trends, issues and actors in regional and global energy markets. Next, it focuses on energy security by examining similarities and differences in the areas of water, minerals, oil and gas markets in the Caspian region. Lastly, it discusses a select number of case studies illustrating instances of cooperation and conflict over natural resources, issues in energy governance, pipeline diplomacy, China's reliance on resource mercantilism, the rise of resource nationalism in Russia and the Central Asian republics, as well as including environmental challenges in the Aral Sea basin.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS IR2006

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

3-hour Written Examination = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1-hour lecture (x 11 weeks) and 1-hour tutorial (x 10 weeks)

Scheduled learning hours

21

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

270

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Intended learning outcomes

  • understand the historical place of the Caspian region within global politics and the global economy
  • understand the main trends, players, and issues in the regional energy market
  • understand the intertwined nature of geopolitics and energy in the region and the impact of energy transitions on domestic politics and economies
  • understand The challenges that climate change confronts the countries of the Caspian region and how the countries of the region are responding to energy transition
  • understand state transformation and internationalisation and state-society relations
  • understand the rise, potential and challenges of renewable energy sources in the region.