Course information

Course Objectives

In this course you will be able to understand about Russia’s energy and climate politics and the role of nuclear energy diplomacy before and after Russia’s war against Ukraine. The nuclear energy diplomacy will be approached by focusing on Russia’s nuclear energy technology export and the actors involved and their interests, and the structures shaping their operations abroad. You will also get to understand Russia’s nuclear energy diplomacy through two example cases: Finland in the European framework and India within the Asia-Pacific context. You will be able to participate in a simulation game to discuss the issues of nuclear energy diplomacy and Russia’s role in the global and European framework.  You will also get introduced to how International Relations theories discuss energy issues as well as discussions and debates surrounding alternate energy sources such as hydrogen. This series of lectures will provide introduction to the energy and climate policy of Russia with a focus on nuclear energy diplomacy.

 

The Course will also offer visit to Olkiluoto nuclear power plant which will be organized towards the end of the course and would essentially be a day trip to the Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant situated in the municipality of Eurajoki, on the shore of Gulf of Bothnia. Please note that the visit is dependent on security clearance provided by the power plant for each visitor.

Learning Outcomes

Students will have enhanced understanding of changes of the global and European energy landscapes and Russia’s role as an energy producer and exporter before and after Russia’s war against Ukraine. The contribution of Russia to the global energy transfer and climate change mitigation cooperation will be discussed as well.  The students will get to familiarize with the structural approach to nuclear energy diplomacy in Russia with focus on nuclear energy technology export, the key actors and their interests and the policy framework. Through two example cases of Finland in the European framework and India within the Asia-Pacific context, students will get to understand the practices of Russia’s nuclear energy diplomacy. Through participation in a simulation game and familiarization of the course reading material, students will get to better analyze the issues regarding the global and European effects of the Russia-Ukraine conflict 2014 and war since 2022 on the energy landscape and the role of nuclear energy in the energy transfer. 

Course Requirements

Students will be required to submit a learning diary. Participation in the simulation game will help both students and teachers understand and assess the learning outcomes intended from the course.  Feedback from students will be collected via Flinga or through survey questions.

 

Please note that the Olkiluoto Power Plant visit is not mandatory and not part of the evaluation. It would however be a good opportunity to see a nuclear power plant and listen about its contribution to Finland’s energy requirement.