SPS509 EU and Energy Politics
SPS509 EU and Energy Politics
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Oct 10, 2025
Social and Political Sciences
Aliaksandr Novikau
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
The objectives of this course encompass a comprehensive understanding of EU energy politics. It involves tracing EU energy policies’ historical, legal, and geopolitical evolution. An analysis of key energy political concepts within the EU context will be undertaken. Moreover, the course seeks to evaluate the challenges and opportunities intrinsic to EU energy security while considering its broader geopolitical implications. The integration of the EU energy market will be critically examined, encompassing the assessment of associated benefits, challenges, and national policies. Within this framework, the course will explore the EU’s renewable energy policies, including examining targets and the strategies formulated for promoting sustainable energy practices. Furthermore, the EU’s role in the global energy transition will be investigated, focusing on aligning with overarching climate goals and pursuing low-carbon economies. A dedicated portion of the course will be dedicated to energy diplomacy, offering an analytical exploration of EU strategies in external energy relations. Lastly, the course will delve into cross-border energy projects, shedding light on their multifaceted impact on energy security, market integration, and broader geopolitical dynamics.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Readings for each class session are listed in the class outline.
Additional Literature
Students without or with limited knowledge about energy security are encouraged to get familiar with the following textbook: Graaf, T. van de, & Sovacool, B. K. (2020). Global Energy Politics. Polity.Teaching Methods
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Introduction to EU energy politics | TBA |
| 2 | Evolution of EU energy policy | TBA |
| 3 | Energy security challenges in the EU | TBA |
| 4 | EU energy market integration | TBA |
| 5 | Energy prices and consumer impacts | TBA |
| 6 | EU-Russia energy relations before 2022 and after | TBA |
| 7 | EU energy relations with other countries | TBA |
| 8 | Midterm exam | TBA |
| 9 | Energy infrastructure | TBA |
| 10 | Energy efficiency measures | TBA |
| 11 | Energy transition and climate goals | TBA |
| 12 | Nuclear energy policies | TBA |
| 13 | Renewable energy targets and policies | TBA |
| 14 | Energy innovation and research | TBA |
| 15 | Future of EU energy politics | TBA |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
| Section | Type | Day 1 | Venue 1 | Day 2 | Venue 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SPS509.1 | Course | Monday 17:00 - 19:50 | B F1.35 FBA Conference Room | - | - |
Office Hours & Room
| Day | Time | Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | 14:00 - 15:00 | B F1.5 | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 - 14:00 | B F1.5 | |
| Thursday | 11:00 - 12:00 | B F1.5 |
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Midterm exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Quizes
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Term project draft
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Partici[ation
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
Term project
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2 3 4
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 6 ECTS credit course corresponds to 150 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture hours
42 hours ⏳ (14 week × 3 h)
Home study
70 hours ⏳ (14 week × 5 h)
Preparation for midterm
5 hours ⏳ (1 week × 5 h)
Preparation of term paper
25 hours ⏳ (5 week × 5 h)
Preparation for final exam
8 hours ⏳ (1 week × 8 h)
150 Total Workload Hours
6 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [SPS509] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Oct 10, 2025 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| SPS509 | EU and Energy Politics | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Aliaksandr Novikau | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Monday: 14:00-15:00 Wednesday: 11:00-14:00 Thursday: 11:00-12:00 |
|||||||
| anovikau@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | The objectives of this course encompass a comprehensive understanding of EU energy politics. It involves tracing EU energy policies’ historical, legal, and geopolitical evolution. An analysis of key energy political concepts within the EU context will be undertaken. Moreover, the course seeks to evaluate the challenges and opportunities intrinsic to EU energy security while considering its broader geopolitical implications. The integration of the EU energy market will be critically examined, encompassing the assessment of associated benefits, challenges, and national policies. Within this framework, the course will explore the EU’s renewable energy policies, including examining targets and the strategies formulated for promoting sustainable energy practices. Furthermore, the EU’s role in the global energy transition will be investigated, focusing on aligning with overarching climate goals and pursuing low-carbon economies. A dedicated portion of the course will be dedicated to energy diplomacy, offering an analytical exploration of EU strategies in external energy relations. Lastly, the course will delve into cross-border energy projects, shedding light on their multifaceted impact on energy security, market integration, and broader geopolitical dynamics. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Readings for each class session are listed in the class outline. | |||||||||
| Additional Literature |
|
|||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | ||||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Face-to-face | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | ||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Introduction to EU energy politics | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 2 | Evolution of EU energy policy | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Energy security challenges in the EU | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 4 | EU energy market integration | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Energy prices and consumer impacts | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 6 | EU-Russia energy relations before 2022 and after | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 7 | EU energy relations with other countries | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Midterm exam | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Energy infrastructure | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 10 | Energy efficiency measures | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Energy transition and climate goals | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Nuclear energy policies | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Renewable energy targets and policies | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Energy innovation and research | TBA | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Future of EU energy politics | TBA | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final exam | 1 | 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| Midterm exam | 1 | 15 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Quizes | 5 | 25 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Term project draft | 1 | 5 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| Partici[ation | 15 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | ||
| Term project | 1 | 20 | 1, 2, 3, 4 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture hours | 3 | 14 | 42 | Home study | 5 | 14 | 70 | |||
| Preparation for midterm | 5 | 1 | 5 | Preparation of term paper | 5 | 5 | 25 | |||
| Preparation for final exam | 8 | 1 | 8 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 150 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 6 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 23/10/2025 | |||||||||
