WATER AND SOCIETY

Catalog description

(Slashed with GEOG 41077 and GEOG 71077 ) This course examines the relationships between water and the world’s population with an emphasis on the developing world (Africa, Asia, Middle East, and Latin America). Students will analyze how water impacts humans and how humans impact water. The course begins by introducing the hydro-social cycle and network theories to provide a foundation and framework to understand the four primary course themes: water policy and governance (including privatization, public-private partnerships, and the various United Nations’ global water initiatives), water as power (including social power and how governments politicize water), flooding and droughts (including vulnerabilities, adaptations, and mitigations), and inequalities (including on gender, quality, access, and affordability). The course concludes by revisiting these themes and applying ideas of water justice and sustainability. The course is primarily discussion-based with limited lectures to ensure students understand key concepts.