Water Issues in the Western U.S.

Geog 696j, Water Resources Geography Seminar, Fall 2007
Mondays, 4:00-6:30 p.m., Harvill 402
Credit: 3 units
Instructor: Connie Woodhouse (conniew1@email.arizona.edu) 626-0235 
Office Hours: by appointment

Schedule and Readings(restricted)

Overview 

Population growth and increased water demands, in combination with a finite water supply influenced by a variable and changing climate, have resulted in a host of issues that challenge decision making and water resource management in the western U.S. today.  Issues range from the management of water shortages in the Colorado River system, to the transfers of water from agriculture to urban uses, endangered species, and the impacts of climate change.  Each issue includes hydrologic, climatic, and ecosystem considerations as well as historical, social, political, and management realities.  In this seminar, we will explore a broad range of water-related issues that have emerged over the past several decades in the western U.S. in order to achieve an awareness and an appreciation of the complexities that surround these topics.  We will base our discussions on a variety of sources included newspaper and magazine series, water-related web sites and news services, and recent publications.  Seminar plans include lots of reading and discussion, guest speakers, and student presentations on topics of interest.

Assignments and Term Paper

Readings & Review Assignments: Weekly assignments will consist of several papers on a specified topic. For each class meeting, all students will 1) read the assigned material, 2) write a blog entry on the papers (more details below), 3) read the blog entries of the other students in the class, and 4) be prepared to discuss the papers and blogs in class.  In the first weeks of the semester, the instructor will select the topics for discussion.  Student interests will guide the topics for subsequent weeks’ discussions.

Blog Assignments: Each student will write weekly reviews in the form of blog entries on the assigned reading.  The reviews should include: 1) an abstract-type review paragraph summarizing the main issue presented in the papers, or the part of the paper or perspective assigned, 2) the aspect of the issue you find of particular interest, and 3) questions for class discussion.  Additional references you can provide on the weekly topic would be an excellent addition for your blog entry and the class discussion.  Weekly blog entries should be posted the day prior to class to allow for reading and comments.

In-Class Brief Presentations and Discussions: Students will take turns summarizing and leading discussions on each week's papers.  Think about the topic of discussion from a variety of perspectives, including hydologic, climatic, environmental, societal, economic, and political implications where possible.. Students can take advantage of the blog entries of the class to present paper overviews and pose questions for discussion.

Term Papers: Students are required to submit a term paper on a topic pertinent to the class. The term paper will be an investigation of a current water issue in the western U.S. (others areas are possible with the approval of the instructor).  Papers should include an introduction of the issue, background including a description of the history of the issue and the physical basis, considerations from  social, economic, environmental, legal/political, management perspectives, and the current status of this issue and prospects for resolution.  The paper should be fully referenced and 10-15 pages in length, double spaced. Students will present their term papers in class during the last weeks of the semester.  Final papers are due on last class meeting.

Grades & Policies

Participation: Full participation during class, as well as completion of assignments and readings are required. Thoughtful contributions to class discussions and weekly assignments, as opposed to merely attending classes and/or incomplete or poorly written assignments, are necessary to receive a high grade.

Grades: 50% on participation, reading responses and assignments during the semester; 50% on the term paper.

Policies: Work submitted late may be subject to penalties. Absence/attendance, withdrawal, honesty and other policies as per the UA General Catalog.

Class Outline

See the Schedule, Readings, Assignments link above for a current listing. Specific details, weekly announcements, further updates  beyond those in the weekly schedule link above will be distributed in class or via email.

Links of Interest