Module 9: Water and Politics
Summary
Learning Goals
- analyze the political problems that arise when water supplies must be shared across borders.
Context for Use
Description and Teaching Materials
All materials for students are available online using the Student Materials link below. These can be implemented entirely in the context of distance learning, with students completing any discussion questions in the form of a blog or discussion group. In a traditional or blended classroom setting, students can complete the online unit as homework, using class time to address the discussion questions and for the Summative Assessment.
Teachers can find documentation of the activities as well as rubrics for students at this location. Rubrics for teachers are compiled under Assessment on this site. Suggestions for teaching and a list of the assessments are found below.
Teaching Notes and Tips
In general, students had little difficulty engaging with the material, and they successfully completed both the formative and summative assessments. The use of distinct examples that address different aspects of water management or conflict across borders (e.g., Nile, India-Bangladesh) works well to focus students in analysis of specific issues; other possible examples could include the Mekong or the Colorado River. Chapters 5, 9 and 10 in The Big Thirst are highly complementary to the module content insofar as they provide more detailed descriptions of the issues, but the module can be completed without those readings. Instructors may want to search for other recent news stories that discuss issues related to the module content, as such issues frequently emerge in one part of the world or another.
The summative assessment should be completed in class following discussion of the module and formative assessments.
What students found difficultAs noted above, students generally grasped the material, as reflected in their performance on the formative assessments. In some cases, students' responses belied a cursory approach to the reading or to thinking about the issues—hence devoting adequate time for in-class discussion of the formative assessments, and in advance of the summative assessment, is key. In fully online classes, this can be accomplished in an online discussion, which could be required prior to submitting the Formative Assessment.
ReflectionsModule 9 is designed to build directly from Module 8, which focuses on technical, climactic, and historical aspects of water scarcity. Given the nature of the material, Module 9 will be most effective if accompanied by in-class discussion of water conflicts, the formative assessments, and where possible, drawing upon current events or the Pacific Institute's online water conflicts calendar (http://worldwater.org/water-conflict/).
Assessment
Formative Assessments
Summative Assessement
- The summative assessment for this module involves writing a paper in Water Sharing
References and Resources
Student readings:
- Readings from Student Materials—Module 9: Water and Politics
- The Big Thirst: The Secret Life and Turbulent Future of Water by Charles Fishman: Chapters 5, 9, and 10