EME 803 - Applied Energy Policy
This is a sample syllabus.
This sample syllabus is a representative example of the information and materials included in this course. Information about course assignments, materials, and dates listed here is subject to change at any time. Definitive course details and materials will be available in the official course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.
Overview
This course offers a comprehensive and applied exploration of energy policy in the context of contemporary societal, environmental, and geopolitical challenges. Designed for students interested in shaping sustainable and equitable energy futures, Applied Energy Policy bridges theory and practice by examining the full policy cycle—from agenda setting to evaluation—with a strong emphasis on real-world application.
The course begins with foundational concepts in public and energy policy, then delves into critical themes such as energy justice, energy transitions, and international cooperation. Students will analyze how policies are formed, adopted, and implemented across different political, economic, and cultural contexts. Special attention is given to the role of stakeholders, equity considerations, and the integration of scientific and technical knowledge into policymaking.
Students will engage in a semester long research project focusing on a specific energy policy of their choosing. This project will guide you through the full lifecycle of policy development and analysis—from its introduction and reasoning to its formation, adoption, evaluation, and future outlook.
Objectives
At the successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- Students will be able to critically assess contemporary energy policy issues, including their economic, environmental, and social dimensions, within a global and systemic context.
- Students will develop the ability to design and propose evidence-based energy policy solutions, incorporating regulatory, market-based, and strategic instruments to address complex energy challenges.
- Students will apply analytical frameworks to examine the impacts and appropriateness of existing energy policies and mechanisms, assessing their alignment with sustainability goals and market realities.
- Through integrated project work, students will synthesize course concepts and policy analysis tools to produce actionable policy recommendations, preparing them for professional roles in energy governance, regulation, and sustainable resource management.
Required Materials
Typically, there are no required materials for this course. If this changes, students will find a definitive list in the course syllabus, in Canvas, when the course begins.
Prerequisites
This course is available to graduate students in the Renewable Energy and Sustainability Systems MPS.
Expectations
This is a student-centered, project-based course. Your learning will be driven by active engagement with assigned readings, critical analysis, and the development of a comprehensive energy policy project over the course of the semester. Class time and assignments are designed to support this process, so it is essential that you keep up with the assignments—having completed the readings and ready to participate in discussions and activities that build directly on the material.
This course does not emphasize passive learning. Instead, you will be expected to analyze, synthesize, and apply policy concepts through hands-on project work. Success in this course depends not on lectures or supplementary materials, but on your own effort: doing the work, engaging deeply with the content, and refining your project iteratively based on feedback and new insights. Ultimately, the value you gain from this class will reflect the level of engagement and effort you invest.
We have designed this course to be as effective and accessible as possible. While it is delivered online, it maintains the rigor and expectations of a traditional college-level course. Your success is largely in your own hands. You’ll get the most out of the class if you stay on top of the schedule and take full advantage of opportunities to communicate with both the instructor and your peers.
On average, students spend approximately 8–10 hours per week on coursework. Your individual workload may vary depending on your study habits and pace.
Major Assignments
Opportunities to demonstrate learning include the following, and grades will be based on points assigned to each of several components of the course as follows:
- 2 Literature Reviews, 15% of the final course grade
- 12 Weekly Discussion Boards, 15% of the final course grade
- 5 Participation Activities, 15% of the final course grade
- Semester Long Project, 55% of the final course grade
Course Schedule
| Week | Topic | Assignment |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Orientation | Personal Introductions Syllabus Quiz |
| 1 | Public Policy | Discussion |
| 2 | Energy Policy | Energy Legislation Analysis Discussion |
| 3 | Energy Justice | Class Sharing: Climate and Sharing Your Economic Justice Screening Semester Long Project: Introduction Discussion |
| 4 | Agenda Setting | Discussion |
| 5 | Policy Formation | Semester Long Project: Reason Behind the Policy Infographic: Raising Awareness and Amplifying Community Voices Discussion |
| 6 | Energy Transitions | Literature Review Discussion |
| 7 | Policy Adoption | Semester Long Project: Stakeholder Identification Part 1 & 2 Discussion |
| 8 | Energy Policy Implementation | Semester Long Project: Policy Formation Part 1 & 2 Discussion |
| 9 | Future Energy Policy | Discussion |
| 10 | International Energy Policy | Semester Long Project: Policy Adoption Discussion |
| 11 | Policy Evaluation | Evaluating Energy Policy Effectiveness Discussion |
| 12 | Write Your Own Policy | Write Your Own Policy Semester Long Project: Policy Evaluation Discussion |
| 13 | Work Week | Semester Long Project: Future of the Policy Literature Review |
| 14 | Work Week | Semester Long Project: Community Presentation Semester Long Project: Draft Share Your Community Presentation |
| 15 | Work Week | - |
| 16 | Semester Long Project Due | Semester Long Final Project |