PrintThe learning environment
This course will be conducted entirely on the World Wide Web. There are no set class meeting times, but you will be required to complete weekly assignments. Registered students in this course will need to navigate between several environments in the World Wide Web. These include:
- This site - The instructional materials in this site include 12 lessons, plus this course orientation. Each lesson contains interactive exercises, links, animations, movies, and/or simulations.
- Canvas - Penn State's course management system. In Canvas, registered students consult course calendars, communicate with instructors and fellow students, submit assignments, receive feedback from the instructor, take online quizzes and surveys, and check assignment scores and course grades. Note that a link to Canvas appears in the green toolbar near the top of this page. In Canvas, you will find links back to this site from corresponding lesson folders under the Lessons tab.
Students who register for this Penn State course gain access to assignments and instructor feedback, and earn academic credit. Information about Penn State's Energy and Sustainability Policy Bachelor's program is available at the ESP Overview Page.
Topics of study
The content of this course is divided into 12 lessons. Each lesson will be completed in approximately 1 week. Lesson learning activities focus on discussions and case study exercises.
- Lesson 1: Nonmarket Analysis
- Lesson 2: Nonmarket Strategy: Public Politics
- Lesson 3: Nonmarket Strategy: Private Politics
- Lesson 4: Energy Sector Special Topics
- Lesson 5: Energy Enterprise: Nuclear
- Lesson 6: Energy Enterprise: Coal
- Lesson 7: Energy Enterprise: Natural Gas
- Lesson 8: Energy Enterprise: Biomass and Hydro
- Lesson 9: Energy Enterprise: Wind and Solar
- Lesson 10: Global Political Economies: Europe
- Lesson 11: Global Political Economies: China
- Lesson 12: Global Political Economies: India
- Case Study: Lessons due throughout semester
Course Assignments
EME 444 will rely upon a variety of methods to assess and evaluate student learning, including:
- Content Activities Each lesson is accompanied by a Content Activity based on assigned reading for each lesson and utilizing models and data from a range of sources. The idea is to promote learning (and retention!) by applying new information in interesting ways. These Activities may involve Canvas quizzes, questions that you answer and submit individually using an Canvas Drop Box, and questions that you discuss with the class using an Canvas Discussion Forum. Each assignment will include specific instructions for how to prepare and submit your work.
- Feature Activities Most lessons will also include a Feature Activity, involving independent thinking and research on your part, where you will be asked to analyze and reflect, query and opine. These Activities will usually be in the form of case studies closely related to the lesson content, such as energy-specific externalities and regional examples of international nonmarket strategies. Often, you will pick the topic of your assignment, so that you may direct your efforts in a direction that is most meaningful to you. Each assignment will include specific instructions for how to prepare and submit your work.
- Nonmarket Analysis Case Study Throughout this course you will learn about nonmarket issues specifically related to energy industries. We will also develop and learn a systemic approach to assessing nonmarket issues and planning strategic action. At the end of the course, you will research and prepare an in-depth nonmarket analysis on a topic of your choosing. You will be given specific instructions, including examples, explaining how to prepare and submit this assignment.
Please refer to the course syllabus for assignment weighting and final grade calculation.