Global Water and Development

Catalog description

Water is necessary for all forms of life on Earth. An estimated 1 billion humans do not have satisfactory drinking water; an estimated 2 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities for human health, safety, and dignity. For more than a hundred years, to address social inequalities in access to water, international organizations and scholars have created their own theories and ideas about providing water. This international community points out the social and cultural implications of technical provision of water resources. These debates about "development" showcase diverse theories, recommendations, and contradictions. The purpose of this course is to introduce students to critical studies of water and development. We will consider complex stories of social change, including unintended consequences; human and environmental impacts; and debates among experts.