Overview
This course examines copper as a strategic resource shaped by international trade, national development, industrial policy, diplomacy, and geopolitical competition. Students analyze the geographic distribution of reserves, mines, smelters, refineries, fabricators, consumers, recycling capacity, and major trade corridors across producing and consuming regions.
Topics include tariffs, quotas, export restrictions, sanctions, customs rules, trade agreements, foreign investment screening, resource nationalism, taxation, royalties, local-content requirements, state ownership, and competition for processing capacity. The course evaluates the effects of energy-transition policies, electric-vehicle adoption, power-grid expansion, renewable infrastructure, defense demand, critical-minerals strategies, conflict, political instability, labor and community disputes, permitting delays, strategic stockpiles, and supply-chain reshoring. Students also assess environmental justice, Indigenous rights, responsible sourcing, transparency, corruption risks, and the political economy of mining regions through applied case studies and policy analysis.
Learning Outcomes
- Map major copper reserves, production centers, processing facilities, consumption regions, recycling systems, and geopolitical dependencies.
- Interpret trade, production, price, investment, and policy data using appropriate comparative and analytical methods.
- Evaluate the effects of tariffs, sanctions, export controls, trade agreements, and foreign investment regulations on copper markets.
- Assess country, project, supply-chain, and stakeholder risks associated with political instability, permitting, labor conflict, corruption, and resource nationalism.
- Analyze the distributional effects of copper extraction and processing on governments, firms, workers, communities, Indigenous peoples, and the environment.
- Forecast the potential impacts of energy-transition policies, infrastructure demand, defense requirements, and critical-minerals strategies on copper availability and prices.
- Synthesize evidence from economic, political, environmental, and industry sources to develop recommendations for firms, governments, or investors.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lecture | 2 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Weekly | All semester |
| Workshop | 2 hours | Fortnightly | All semester |
| Lab | 2 hours | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Assignment | Geopolitical copper supply-chain map | 15.00% |
| Quiz | Trade and policy concepts quizzes (5 × 2%) | 10.00% |
| Deliverable | Trade and policy data analysis | 20.00% |
| Test | Mid-semester case analysis test | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Country or project risk assessment | 15.00% |
| Capstone | Evidence-based strategic recommendation | 20.00% |
Prerequisites
- Requirement 5 NCEA Level 2 Economics credits, externally assessed
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
