COURSE DESCRIPTION
This doctoral-level course provides a comprehensive and critical examination of the interlocking domains of water governance, economics, and policy. Students will explore how societies organize decision-making for water resources; the application of economic principles to water allocation, pricing, and investment; and the political and institutional processes that shape water policy. Key topics include water governance principles and institutional frameworks; economic valuation of water; water rights and markets; pricing and cost recovery; policy instruments for demand management, pollution control, and climate adaptation; and the political economy of water reform. The course integrates theoretical foundations with comparative case studies and emphasizes the analysis of real-world water governance challenges and policy solutions.
COURSE TEACHING OBJECTIVES
- Critically analyze the core concepts, principles, and institutional frameworks of water governance at multiple scales.
- Evaluate economic approaches to water allocation, valuation, pricing, and the design of market-based instruments.
- Assess the design, implementation, and effectiveness of water policy instruments for demand management, pollution control, and climate adaptation.
- Examine the political economy of water reform, including the role of stakeholders, power, and institutions.
- Integrate governance, economic, and policy perspectives to analyze complex water challenges and propose evidence-based solutions.
COURSE STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Explain and critique the principles of good water governance and the diversity of institutional arrangements for water management.
- Apply economic valuation techniques and assess the strengths and limitations of water markets, pricing, and other economic instruments.
- Design and evaluate water policy instruments for demand management, pollution control, and climate adaptation.
- Analyze the political and institutional factors that shape water policy and governance outcomes.
- Develop an integrated water governance, economics, and policy framework for a specific basin or region.
Organization of Course Studies
The course will be completed through the external site/Coursera through the following link:
https://www.coursera.org/learn/water-governance-economics
Students will write a major paper after title approval.