This course is composed of three main sections.

Part I:  World Oil Market

The first part aims to familiarize the student with the main concepts of the world oil market.  Aims to provide detailed information on the main concepts that most of the time become confusing elements of politics and economics of states both internally and internationally.  Furthermore this section aims to provide information of the main dynamics of world petroleum market and contributing factors during the cold war era.

Part II: Post Cold War Dynamics

The purpose of this section is to look at changes in the world petroleum market in the post Cold War era.  This section will provide an emphasis on introduction of new actors and changing dynamics as well as pipeline options for the export of the Caspian region oil and gas.

Part III: Political Economy of Oil Producing States

The purpose of the third section is to look at the role of boom and bust effects of the oil proices on oil producing states states. The aim is to provide an analysis of socioeconomic and political effects of oil on oil-exporting states and discusses the rentier state/rentier economy model, employing extensive case studies.