This course explores key challenges and debates in contemporary water governance and how these relate to water (in)justice. Water is critical for all life, as well as agriculture, manufacturing, energy production and other industries. As water demand grows, systems are increasingly stressed through modification by dams, pollution and climate change. Longstanding approaches to water management have been driven by the techno-engineering solutions, while more recent paradigms aim to integrate human rights and environmental conservation.

The course, Water Justice examines how water’s benefits and costs are shared and by whom. It applies a water justice lens by drawing on the diverse literatures on social justice, environmental justice, settler-colonial relations, and gender studies. Students will consider links between water (in)justices and other forms of social inequality, and examine issues of power, conflict and equity. They will also reflect upon relevant water governance concepts including management, policy, decision-making and infrastructure. The politics that underpin water decision-making will also be examined, particularly the challenges and approaches for more equitable representation of diverse interests across communities and nations in water governance, and a fairer distribution of costs and benefits. Learning will take place through case studies that will explore politics of transboundary water bodies, unsustainable groundwater extraction, policy capture by powerful stakeholders, conflicts around water markets, and debates about dams and other large water infrastructure, among others. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Explain the technical and governance challenges involved in managing water under increasing human demands and climate change pressures.
2. Understand the interconnections between water, society and Socio-technical systems (such as energy and food), and how these can shape water governance.
3. Analyse and critique various rationales for water management, with reference to their historical and geographical contexts.
4. Critically assess water justice frameworks, and their relationship to similar concepts, such as equity and fairness.
5. Apply a water justice lens to critically evaluate water management plans, water policies and decision-making processes.

Research-Led Teaching

The course's pre-recorded lectures provide an overview of fundamental concepts, linking to key academic research.Readings will provide students with an opportunity to critically engage with foundational and current research across the topics. In addition to live lectures with the course conveners, students will attend live guest lectures with leading water researchers and practitioners.

Field Trips

Students in Canberra are invited to visit the Water Justice themed art exhibition at the Crawford School of Public Policy on Thursday, September 16th. An online option will also be available. Students wishing to view the exhibition in person need to RSVP a week prior. Instructions on RSVPing will be given at the start of the course. There is no cost to visit the exhibition.

Required Resources

Readings will be provided on Wattle

Recommended Resources

Readings will be provided on the course site on Wattle

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments
• Verbal comments
• Feedback to the whole class, to groups, to individuals, focus groups

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Due to the current COVID situation, the course is online only. Students are expected to attend online, live guest lectures and classes from 12 to 5pm AEST/ Canberra time. Please see wattle for schedule.

In 2021, this intensive course will run Monday - Friday inclusive in the S2 teaching break (6-17 September). Unfortunately, due to the worsening COVID outbreak, course convenors will not be able to travel to Canberra to teach the course in-person. As a result, the course will only be delivered online. ‘In-person’ students are given the opportunity to roll into the online cohort. A dedicated classroom will be available on campus for the duration of the course. Students who enjoy face-to-face interactions can, if they wish, use the classroom to study together and to attend online classes as a group. We apologise for the late change to delivery. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact the convenors

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Monday 6th September Introduction: welcome and course overview Topic 1: Introduction: What is water justice?
2	Tuesday 7th September Topic 2: Competing uses as drivers of water inequity and injustice
3	Wednesday 8th September Topic 3: Justice dimensions of climate change and water infrastructure
4	Friday 10th September Topic 4: Domestic water: The human right to water and sanitation
5	Monday 13th September: Topic 5: What is getting in the way of Water Justice?
6	Tuesday 14th September Topic 6: Water management & governance approaches
7	Thursday 16th September Topic 7: Counter- discourses & Water justice framework review
8	Friday 17th September Wrap up, feedback. How to achieve water justice?
9	Study days One study day is scheduled per week (Thursday 9th and Wednesday 15th September). Please use this time to revise and prepare for upcoming classes.

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Reflection: what is water justice?	10 %	04/09/2021	08/09/2021	1
Commentary piece: water justice issues	20 %	11/09/2021	15/09/2021	1,2,4
Presentation: water management and governance	20 %	13/09/2021	17/09/2021	1,2,3,4,5
Reflection on testimonials	15 %	19/09/2021	26/09/2021	1,5
Research Essay	35 %	03/10/2021	02/12/2021	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website Students may choose not to submit assessment items through Turnitin. In this instance you will be required to submit, alongside the assessment item itself, hard copies of all references included in the assessment item.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students are strongly encouraged to attend all guest lectures and live online classes. Students are asked to prepare thoroughly for class and to actively participate during class. We understand an intensive course can be demanding, but we trust students to make their best effort to be actively present. We will not attach a mark for participation.

Examination(s)

No examinations

Assessment Task 1

Reflection: what is water justice?

Drawing on authoritative academic standard publications, in 300 to 400 words:

• What does water justice mean to you?
• Propose a definition of water justice based on the literature.
• Give an example of water (in)justice based on your experience or the literature

Assessment Task 2

Commentary piece: water justice issues

Commentary piece (800 words) . Write a 'blog' style piece on water justice as if you were writing for the Global Water Forum (GWF) website (Example of a GWF article ). You are not required to submit your assessment to the GWF.

The intent is to write about water justice for a generalist audience using simple, engaging, language. Minimise jargon.

Identify the two key issues from the course readings or lectures presented thus far that stood out to you. This may include relevance to place that you are from, your core discipline and/or your current or future work.

The commentary piece should contain:

-A summary of the issues and how they relate to each other

-An analysis of the water justice issues and impacts

-Reflection on why it is important at a global scale

-Your view on the way forward or solution

-A conclusion about the significance of these issues, putting them into the global context (e.g. why should the readers care about this case study? Can the insights be applied to other regions?)

If using course readings, the commentary MUST provide a new perspective or analysis. Do not simply summarise the papers.

Submissions should be well presented, structured, and written, and include referencing consistently adhering to an accepted style.

Assessment Task 3

Presentation: water management and governance

During week 2, each student will be asked to deliver a 5-minute individual presentation to the class.

The presentation must include:

• Clear overview of water management policies and water justice frameworks of a region or country of your choice. This can be the same topic as per Assessment 5.
• Your own critical reflection of the adequacy of such policies and frameworks with respect to key elements that you have learnt in the course, so far.
• Key recommendations to improve water management and justice and/or key learnings that could be applied elsewhere.

Assessment Task 4

Reflection on testimonials

Following the visit (in-person or online) to the art exhibit on the testimonials from the Citizens' Inquiry , the students will be asked to write a short personal reflection (maximum 300 words). Reflecting on the various testimonies, the assessment should identify and describe one water (in)justice element that particularity stood out for you.

Assessment Task 5

Research Essay

Research Essay (2,000 words)

Select a nation or region of your choice and critically evaluate its water management policies and governance (can be based on presentation topic, assessment task 3).

Apply a water justice framework(s) to critically evaluate the situation and answer the following:

• What is the current situation in terms of water justice (e.g. key issues) and what is the historical/political/cultural context that has led to the current situation?
• Justify your choice water justice framework. Of all water justice frameworks, why did you choose this one? What was useful or relevant? and/or why are other frameworks unsuitable or inappropriate?
• Which are the main water management and justice principles in this area, and how do they relate to key water management frameworks discussed during the course?
• What are the major impediment for greater water justice in this area?
• What could the government (at the various scales) and different stakeholders do towards greater water justice?

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of our culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically. This means that all members of the community commit to honest and responsible scholarly practice and to upholding these values with respect and fairness. The Australian National University commits to embedding the values of academic integrity in our teaching and learning. We ensure that all members of our community understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with. The University has policies and procedures in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Visit the following Academic honesty & plagiarism website for more information about academic integrity and what the ANU considers academic misconduct. The ANU offers a number of services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. The Academic Skills and Learning Centre offers a number of workshops and seminars that you may find useful for your studies.

Online Submission

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Hardcopy Submission

No hard copy submissions will be part of this course.

Late Submission

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information. In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service — including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy. If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes. Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students