Admission requirements
Required course(s):
None. Please note that 100-level courses do not mean “less work;” they mean no prerequisites. This is not an easy course, in terms of time required.
Description
Around the world, more countries and communities face increasing scarcity of clean water, which leads to economic, environmental, social and political dilemmas. In this course, we will explore the definitions of scarcity and shortage, the market and non-market costs of scarcity, and different means of addressing scarcity. We will also discuss how politics, culture and climate disruption interact with existing policies regarding water use. As you can tell, these discussions will be interdisciplinary due to water's complex interaction with many dimensions of life.
NB: The Netherlands is often seen as possessing abundant water, but it is subject to both scarcity (droughts) and abundance shocks (floods), so these ideas also apply here.
Course Objectives
Students will be able to recognize scarcity, explain how behavior and/or policies affects scarcity, and estimate the economic and social damages resulting from scarcity.
Students will be able to explain the various dimensions and impacts of scarcity using interdisciplinary perspectives.
Timetable
Timetables for courses offered at Leiden University College in 2024-2025 will be published on this page of the e-Prospectus.
Mode of instruction
The course is taught through two-hour seminars. Students will be expected to participate in both large and small group discussions; present and defend their ideas within an academic setting; and take part in group projects. The instructor will facilitate and ensure the efficient running of the discussion, but students are responsible for its quality.
Assessment Method
Class participation: 10% (continuous weeks 1-7)
Study team: 10% (continuous weeks 1-7)
Weekly exercises: 10% (weeks 2-6)
Blog post: 10% (due week 4)
Peer reviews: 2x10% (due week 6)
Individual Presentation: 10% (due week 7)
Case study paper: 30% (due reading week)
Reading list
Living with Water Scarcity (Zetland 2014)
About 15 academic papers (+/- 300 pages)
Registration
Courses offered at Leiden University College (LUC) are usually only open to LUC students and LUC exchange students. Leiden University students who participate in one of the university’s Honours tracks or programmes may register for one LUC course, if availability permits. Registration is coordinated by the Education Coordinator, course.administration@luc.leidenuniv.nl.
Contact
Dr. David Zetland, d.j.zetland@luc.leidenuniv.nl
Remarks
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