Water

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Water is arguably our most vital resource. It is also one of the most difficult to manage and share. In this class we will examine how the physical nature of water interacts with social factors and politics to make water management so difficult and why people at the highest levels now discuss a Global Water Crisis and wars over water rather than oil. To gain our understanding, we will examine a range of real water issues around the world and a set of complex questions. Does water-saving technology actually save water? Can the use of contaminated water be “healthy”? Can water bring peace rather than war? By looking for answers to a range of questions like these, you will develop a solid foundation in water science and policy and the skills to think critically about water as one of the most pressing global issues in the 21st century. Learning takes place through lecture, discussion, readings, a movie, spreadsheets, your own rice farm and up to 3 field trips. At least 2 of the field trips will start before the regular class time. Keep this in mind when choosing to register for the class.